TWO PEOPLE had to be rescued following chaotic scenes as a boat capsized in surf off Kimmeridge.

The Portland Coastguard helicopter joined two lifeboat crews from Weymouth at the scene after several people reported seeing the rigid inflatable boat capsized in the water.

One of the people in the water managed to make their way back to shore while the other ended up on the hull of the upturned boat.

Coastguards said he refused to be airlifted by the helicopter as he wanted to stay with the boat and see it recovered.

A number of paddle boarders at the scene also ended up in the water, adding to the confusion as the rescuers moved in.

The drama unfolded at around 4pm on Saturday.

Watch officer at Portland Coastguard Sarah Callaby-Brown said: “There were five people who were on paddle boards in the area standing by watching and they seemed to all end up in the water.

“They all made it to shore but it was just a bit chaotic there for one moment.”

The lifeboat crews proceeded to turn the boat to its upright position and it was towed back to Weymouth, along with one of the people from the boat.

The other occupant was taken to Weymouth by a friend.

The coastguard confirmed that the two people from the boat, a man and a woman from the Weymouth area, were both unhurt in the drama.