A WOMAN was stretchered to safety after breaking her leg on a beach.

West Bay Coastguard was alerted on Thursday afternoon by Solent Coastguard National Maritime Operations Centre (NMOC) to a request for assistance from the ambulance service with a casualty on East Beach, West Bay.

A spokesman for the team said: "A 60-year-old lady had suffered a fall whilst on the beach and sustained a suspected broken left femur.

"She was under the care of a paramedic, but required assistance to be stretchered from the beach to the waiting ambulance.

"Officers quickly responded to the station in West Bay to gather their equipment and rescue vehicle then travelled the short distance to East Beach.

"On arrival, team members worked with the ambulance service to transfer the casualty to the teams rescue stretcher.

"She was then carried up the steep bank to the East Beach car park where the ambulance was waiting.

"We wish the casualty a full and speedy recovery.

"Stay safe on the coast… But if you find yourself in difficulty or if you are concerned for others, do not hesitate… DIAL 999 and ask for the Coastguard."