TWO youngsters have been rescued after drifting up 100m away from a yacht in the Solent.

A strong current took the two "struggling" children away from their vessel before lifeboat crews rushed to help.

Worried people on the yacht issue a mayday call asking for immediate help.

Members of the Hill Head Coastguard Rescue Team happened to be visiting Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service's base near where the incident happened.

The children got into difficulty and were struggling in the cold water at 5.08pm on Sunday.

A Gafirs spokesperson said: "Two children were enjoying a swim in the warm weather when the current started to pull them from the vessel they were from.

"With the water at 9 degrees, they started to struggle as the cold set in.

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"The members of the Coastguard Rescue Team immediately alerted the volunteer crew at the lifeboat station, who were still on watch from their duty day, whilst the yacht had issued a DSC MAYDAY call asking for immediate help.

"With one child now 60m away from the yacht and the other around 100m due to the strong current, the Gosport and Fareham Independent Lifeboat was immediately launched and within eight minutes of the original call, had both children out of the water and in the safety of the lifeboat.

"With both children suffering from shock and exposure to the cold water, medical assistance was requested from South Central Ambulance Service, who sent multiple vehicles to the scene."

One crew member added: "Had the lifeboat station not been open with crew in attendance, this incident could have been a lot worse for all concerned."

Both children were taken ashore and crews brought the catamaran involved to Haslar Marina.

The crew member added: "It’s so important to take precautionary steps when enjoying the water - knowing the weather and tides and ensuring that you are suitably dressed, as it is easy to underestimate the speed at which the cold water can limit a swimmer’s ability.’

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