Two held over 'drunk dinghy' trip

Two people have been arrested after they took to the water in a dinghy while under the influence of alcohol.

The man, 20, and woman, 18, had to be rescued off the coast at Studland, near Poole, Dorset, early on Sunday morning.

A friend who stayed on the shore rang the emergency services when the pair went out of sight in the wooden dinghy.

Rescuers found the pair in the water with one clinging to a buoy after the boat capsized and sank. Both were arrested and later bailed.

The man and woman were taken to hospital for checks.

Bruce Lack, watch manager at Portland Coastguard, said: "Drink and stupidity played major parts in this incident with the two young people in serious danger of losing their lives as a result.

"From taking a boat with no oars to having no lifejackets or means of communication in the darkness in open sea is sheer madness fuelled by drink and bravado.

"We cannot stress enough how dangerous this kind of game can be, and that it is only at this time of year the sea is slightly warming, but not enough to put you beyond danger of severe hypothermia after prolonged immersion."