Family rescued by RNLI and coastguard off Lepe beach

Two lifeboat crews from Calshot and Cowes were launched after two teenagers and their parents got into difficulties half a mile off shore on Saturday.

They had been using inflatable paddleboards launched from their motor cruiser, said a spokesperson for Cowes lifeboat.

They added: "Although Calshot lifeboat managed to rescue everyone, the father’s condition gave the crew particular cause for concern.

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"After the lifeboat arrived on the shore he was transferred to a coastguard helicopter to be flown to a Southampton hospital.

"Meanwhile the mother and two youngsters were treated for cold."

The paddleboards had been picked up by different boats and collected by the Cowes crew.

One eyewitness said nearby boats were on standby in case further help was needed.

Ian Cockram, who witnessed the rescue from a nearby boat said: “It was really hot.

"There were three paddleboarders on the water.

"It all got pretty nasty, the coastguard came in the helicopter and winched one person up.

"The RNLI were on the banks too. We were waiting on standby as we were the biggest boat.”

A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesperson said: “At just after 2pm today (28 August), Lymington Coastguard Rescue Team, the coastguard helicopter from Lee-on-Solent, Calshot RNLI Lifeboat, Cowes RNLI Lifeboat, South Central Ambulance Service and Southampton VTS responded to a Mayday broadcast from a vessel, reporting four paddleboarders in difficulties at Lepe Spit.

“One casualty was winched by the coastguard helicopter and taken to Southampton General Hospital.

"The three other casualties were transferred to Lepe Beach by Calshot RNLI Lifeboat and passed into care of paramedics at the scene.”