Woman is swept away in dog rescue

A coastguard helicopter search for a woman swept away while trying to rescue her dog from a swollen river in Dorset has been stood down.

Marine police and Dorset Fire and Rescue were also searching for the woman in the River Stour at Blandford.

An elderly man jumped in to try to rescue her but was pulled to safety and airlifted to Yeovil Hospital.

"Sadly we have not been able to find any sign of her yet," said Ros Evans, Portland Coastguard watch manager.

The woman was reported missing at 1530 GMT.

Portland Coastguard's rescue helicopter swept the area for the woman, along with the Poole Coastguard Rescue Team, Dorset Fire and Rescue's swift water rescue team and Dorset Police marine section officers.

"She was seen being swept down river after attempting to rescue her dog," Ms Evans added.

"We would like to take this opportunity to remind members of the public about the dangers of rivers whilst swollen."