A five-year-old girl and her father were airlifted to hospital suffering from suspected hypothermia after a jet ski overturned in the sea off St Osyth.

Clacton RNLI’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat was called to the scene along with the RAF Search and Rescue helicopter at about 2.40pm on Wednesday, August 7.

The pair, who were staying at a caravan nearby, were in the water without life jackets.

Lifeboat helmsman Trevor Neal said: “The jet ski had overturned about 300 metres off the Sailor Boy café, off St Osyth beach.

“The five-year-old and the man were in the water and were clinging to the jet ski.

“By the time we arrived they were at the water’s edge.

“Crewman Joff Strutt went ashore to assess them and found the girl was very cold and suffering from suspected hypothermia.

“He called for them to be winched off the beach to the helicopter.”

The man, who is thought to be in his 30s, and the girl were then flown to Colchester General Hospital for treatment.

Mr Neal added: “Although they were wearing wetsuits they had gone out to sea on the jet ski without wearing life jackets.

“This situation could easily have been far more serious. We would advise all those taking to the water on a jet ski to wear a lifejacket at all times.”

The volunteer crew, which also included Tim Dye, were back on station by 3.40pm.