A MAN was rescued after getting trapped on rocks at sea, a tree fell and crushed two cars, while a yacht was towed to safety as high winds battered the county.

Police, paramedics, coastguard officers, RNLI volunteers and council highways staff were called out to various incidents as gale force winds caused havoc across Dorset.

At around 5pm on Monday evening, a man was rescued from water below Nothe Fort. Police officers, coastguard officers, a search and rescue team and paramedics were called in a multi-agency operation to bring the man to safety after he got stuck by rocks.

A spokesman for Weymouth and Portland Police said: "The male became stuck within the rocks behind Nothe Fort and quickly became cold and tired and was unable to bring himself back to safety.

"Teamwork between agencies led to his recovery and he was taken to hospital for a check up. Thanks to all the agencies working together to avoid what could have been a tragic accident."

Dorset Echo: Top left and bottom right: A fallen tree crushed cars in Dorchester Pictures: Ben Giddens, top right and bottom left: A man has been rescued from water below Nothe Fort Pictures: Wyke Coastguard and Weymouth RNLITop left and bottom right: A fallen tree crushed cars in Dorchester Pictures: Ben Giddens, top right and bottom left: A man has been rescued from water below Nothe Fort Pictures: Wyke Coastguard and Weymouth RNLI

A short time later, at around 6.30pm, a tree fell and crushed two cars on Great Western Road in Dorchester. The road was closed by police while contractors from Knighton Countryside Management Ltd removed the tree and cleared the area. Mark Giddens, director, said: "The tree managed to crush two cars and completely block the road.

"It took five of our staff two hours to chop the tree up and remove it with a tractor and trailer. A Fiat and a Ford Focus were both completely crushed. The owner of the Fiat said it was her pride and joy but I don't think she'll be driving it any time soon. It is lucky no one was hurt."

Delivery driver Tom Buck was travelling round the corner when he saw the tree hit the ground. He said: "It was pretty dramatic - the Ford Focus got absolutely annihilated. Had it been about 10 seconds later, I would have been crushed."

Dorset Echo: Picture: Ben GiddensPicture: Ben Giddens

Later on Monday evening, a yacht, which is home to two people and a dog, broke free from its mooring in Portland Harbour. Both Weymouth RNLI lifeboats were launched at around 9.30pm to search for the 44 foot boat which was being swept towards Redcliffe Point. Wyke Coastguard was also in attendance.

A spokesman for Weymouth RNLI said: "Once the yacht had been located, the inshore lifeboat managed to get two crew members onto the casualty vessel and establish a tow. By this time the yacht was approximately half a mile form Redcliff Point and only minutes from running ashore.

Dorset Echo: Picture: Wyke CoastguardPicture: Wyke Coastguard

"Once the vessel was under tow, the all weather lifeboat managed to pull the yacht to the safety of Weymouth Harbour."