POLICE say members of the public put their lives at risk to save three teenage girls in danger of drowning off the Hampshire coast.

The teenagers were trying to cool off in the hot and humid weather yesterday when they got into difficulties off Lepe Beach, which was packed with visitors.

At least four members of the public ran into the sea in a dramatic bid to rescue the youngsters, who were about 50 yards from shore.

A 13-year-old girl was pulled unconscious from the waves. She and one of her friends were airlifted to Southampton General Hospital by a coastguard rescue helicopter and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance. The other girl was shaken but unhurt.

The 13-year-old regained consciousness yesterday and her condition was described as comfortable today.

The four people who rescued them were given a check-up and did not need hospital treatment.

A police spokesman said: “I’m told by one of our officers that several members of the public were extremely brave and risked their own lives to save the teenagers.

“Two of the girls were taken to hospital and a third was treated at the scene, as were some of the rescuers.”

Six years ago Edward Moore, 43, of Southampton, died after he and his granddaughter got into difficulties off Lepe Beach.

He held 18-month-old Keely above his head until rescuers could take her from him.

In November 2007, an inquest heard how members of the public, including off-duty policeman Nicholas Whitehouse, swam out to help Mr Moore as he started drifting out to sea.

When PC Whitehouse reached him he was face down in the water with his arms outstretched. Coroner Keith Wiseman recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Yesterday’s drama began when the alarm was raised just before 1.20pm, triggering a major rescue operation.

Solent coastguards received a 999 call from a member of the public, who said at least two girls were shouting for help in the sea and four people had swum out to help.

Calshot lifeboat, a police launch and a coastguard rescue team were among the units sent out.

A lifeboat spokesman said: “Three teenage girls were reported to be in difficulties in the water.

“When we arrived all three had already been recovered and were on the beach. One was unconscious, another cold and shocked and the third shaken but OK.

“The lifeboat crew gave oxygen to the unconscious casualty. Paramedics arrived very soon after and took over.

“A land-based ambulance crew continued to care for some of the four people who had gone in to pull the girls out of the water.”