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A warning has been issued after two schoolgirls nearly drowned in a heatwave drama off the Solent coastline.

It was only the screams and waves from the girls, aged 12 and 13, which raised the alarm and prevented a tragedy yesterday at Stokes Bay, Gosport.

The distressed swimmers, who were about 500 metres off the shore and in about 30 feet of water, were spotted by two people who were on the beach.

A spokesman for the Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS) said: "They could hear the girls screaming and saw them waving and they dialled 999."

The GAFIRS lifeboat was stood down and the Coastguard Rescue helicopter swung into action and winched the two girls to safety.

The helicopter landed on grass behind the lifeboat station where the crew helped as paramedics treated the girls before taking them to hospital for a further check-up.

A GAFIRS spokespeman said: "The girls were very frightened and very cold. They had found it very scary."

He added: "We would like to remind everyone during this hot spell that the water is still cold and can disable even a strong swimmer.

"Children should also be supervised by adults when they are swimming."

10:33am Wednesday 14th May 2008

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