SEVEN rowers sparked a rescue alert after they thrown into the sea when their boat was swamped by waves and capsized.

The dramatic incident - blamed on 'freak waves' - happened as members of Lyme Regis Gig Club were making their way back to the town's harbour after a training session at sea.

One of the crew suffered a head injury in the drama.

The lifeboat was launched after the alarm was raised on Sunday morning.

Four of the crew were helped to safety by paddle boarders and others who saw what happened and went to their aid while the others stayed with the gig and were able to drift in.

The gig club has now thanked everyone who helped the crew.

The crew had been out training in Lyme Bay in the 10-metre 'Black Ven' gig and were returning to the harbour when a breaking wave picked up the traditional sea-racing boat, swamping the vessel - this was quickly followed by another wave which turned the boat over.

The Lyme Regis lifeboat was launched just before 11am.

A spokesman for Lyme Regis RNLI said: "All seven were thrown out of the boat. The cox, Tony Colston, received a head injury, and after first aid from RNLI volunteers at the lifeboat station he was taken to hospital for checks. The other six were cold, wet and shaken but otherwise unhurt.

"The rowers all reached shore safely. Two members of the lifeboat crew jumped into the water to help the rowers ashore."

The undamaged gig was recovered safely.

James Burtoft, witnessed the incident from outside the Kiosk at the harbour.

Mr Burtoft said: "We were watching the gig and at one point it looked like it was coming directly inshore.

"They must have been making a manoeuvre to take them further out when they were hit by a wave which capsized them.

"I didn’t see the actually impact but when I looked up there was a line of people in the water.

Nearby surfers and paddleboarders shouted to those on shore to call a lifeboat, which Mr Burtoft promptly did.

He added: "The boat was lying just under the surface and the crew members must have been holding on to it. They were bobbing up and down for around eleven minutes, which doesn't sound like a long time but I bet it feels like it when you're in the water - especially with the conditions on the day, some of the waves looked quite powerful."

Heather Prior, chairman of the Lyme Regis Gig Club, said: “You know you live in a tight knit local community when people burst into action to help out when a situation arises - bringing support, reassurance and help. Staff at the Kiosk even bought over hot coffee.

"We thank everyone who helped with the incident.”

One of the rowers, Chris Bailey, said: “We were hit by freak waves, and it could have happened to anybody.”