Five people "lucky to be alive" after speedboat sinks at Bournemouth Air Festival
Four adults and a child were rescued from a speedboat which sank off Bournemouth beach this afternoon.
Coastguards said they were lucky to be alive because they ventured out to sea without lifejackets and that RNLI lifeboats which came to their aid were only in the area because of the Bournemouth Air Festival.
The vessel began taking on water while anchored off the shore at 2pm.
One of the passengers, who were in the Fletcher speedboat watching the air show, dialled 999 and told Portland Coastguard they were standing in ankle-deep water and did not have lifejackets.
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The adults passed the youngster onto a small yacht nearby as RNLI lifeboats from Poole, which were stationed off Bournemouth Pier, raced to help.
But the speedboat sank before they could arrive and the occupants had to be rescued from the sea.
They were taken to the pier for medical treatment.
Portland Coastguard watch manager Ros Evans said: "They were very lucky to survive as they had no lifejackets, flares or radio.
"If the lifeboats had not been in the area they would have been unlikely to have kept themselves afloat for long.
"HM Coastguard recommends that motorboaters should wear a lifejacket at all times while on deck. These lifejackets should be well maintained and should have a sprayhood and whistle if possible."
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