COASTGUARDS helped divert traffic away from a crash in Swanage.

The team were on patrol shortly before 5pm yesterday and helped keep the scene clear until the emergency services arrived on Shore Road.

Elsewhere, Portland coastguard received a call that sailing dinghies taking part in a regatta off Hengistbury Head had capsized shortly before 1pm yesterday.

Southbourne coastguard rescue officers attended the Highcliffe Sailing Club to confirm that all capsized crews and vessels had been accounted for and gave the club safety advice.

Also before 1pm, Portland coastguard received a 999 call from a kayaker in Poole harbour reporting that his friend had fallen out of his kayak and was hanging on to the stern of his vessel.

The Poole RNLI inshore lifeboat was launched and Poole coastguard rescue officers attended the scene to find that both kayakers had managed to make the shore at Hamworthy.

South West Ambulance attended and the immersed kayaker was treated by paramedics.

A small inflatable boat which had broken down with one person on board caused alert for coastguards. The boat had broken down off Middle Beach in Studland shortly before 4pm.

The Swanage coastguard rescue team attended the scene and the Poole inshore lifeboat also launched.

Once safely back to shore safety advice was given to the person on board.