Girl, 5, dies after Durdle Door water rescue Published duration 18 April 2018

image copyright PA image caption The coastguard was called to Durdle Door, near Lulworth, at about 11:30 BST following reports a child and woman were in distress in the water

A five-year-old girl has died after being rescued from the sea near a Dorset beauty spot.

The coastguard was called to Durdle Door, near Lulworth, at about 11:30 BST following reports a child and woman were in distress in the water.

The girl, from Salisbury, was picked up by a nearby Ministry of Defence vessel, Dorset Police said.

She was confirmed dead at Dorset County Hospital. Police said they believed it was a "tragic accident".

Officers said the woman had been rescued by a member of the public before the military vessel responded to a Mayday call and found the girl.

Det Insp Steve May said: "Our thoughts are with the family of the young girl involved at this very difficult time.

"At this time there is nothing to suggest this was anything other than a tragic accident however, with the sudden death of any child we have an obligation to carry out an investigation to establish the full circumstances of what happened."