The occupants of a speedboat made a desperate swim for safety after their boat sank.

They were eventually airlifted to safety after making it ashore on an inaccessible beach.

A spokesman for Wyke Coastguard said: "Whilst on Risk Watch Patrol in the Ringstead area, the duty IRT were alerted to an incident near to Durdle Door.

"Occupants of a speedboat had called 999 to say their vessel had taken on water and sunk near to Durdle Door.

They were safe, and stated they had swum to the nearby beach at Durdle Door.

"The IRT made their way to the area whilst further resources in the way of Lulworth CRT and Weymouth Lifeboat ILB we’re also tasked to the incident.

"Upon arrival at Durdle Door it became apparent the group, who were from out of the area, had swum to the beach between Bats Head and the White Nothe.

"This stretch of beach is virtually inaccessible by foot. Coastguard 175 from Solent was coincidently at Stair Hole practicing winching and heard radio correspondence regarding the incident, offering their assistance with extraction.

"The casualties were then then winched by Rescue 175 and conveyed to a landing site prepared near the top carpark at Durdle Door.

"There they were met by Lulworth and Wyke team members, who checked the casualties over.

"Weymouth Lifeboat ILB confirmed the vessel was fully submerged near to the shore line and didn’t pose any immediate danger.

"With all casualties safe and well, all resources were stood down to return to their respective bases."