A woman trapped in a sea cave has been airlifted to safety.

A major rescue operation took place last night after coastguards were called to reports of a person in the water below cliffs near Portland Bill just before 5pm.

Wyke and Portland coastguard rescue teams attended, along with Dorset Police. Weymouth RNLI lifeboat was also launched.

A coastguard rescue helicopter, NPAS helicopter and the air ambulance were also involved.

Dorset Echo:

  • Picture: KEVIN BURDEN

According to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, a woman was rescued from an inaccessible area in a cave below the cliffs at Portland Bill by the crew of the coastguard rescue helicopter.

She was transferred to hospital by South Western Ambulance Service.

Eyewitness Kevin Burden described the scene at cliffs north-west of the Bill behind the Qinetiq site.

Mr Burden said: "One casualty (has been) winched ashore. It's hard to say how person got there. It's really far too windy to be on the water, I'd say. Cliffs are not climbable there.

"Huge number of emergency vehicles and three helicopters. Air ambulance also turned out but left when coastguards arrived."