More than 50 people were rescued on Sunday (January 3) when sudden gale force winds hit the Essex coast.

Bradwell coastguards were called to the River Blackwater to rescue windsurfers in difficulty and dinghies which had capsized during a yacht club race.

"It was a ferocious wind," said coastguard spokesman, Dick Townshend. "We were broadcasting warnings of winds storm force 10 and clubs and individuals were caught out."

He added: "We were inundated with 999 calls and there were reports of up to 30 dinghies and up to 50 people in the water in Steeple Bay."

Four safety boats had recovered most or all of the persons before themselves being blown ashore.

One small dinghy could be seen capsized in the Maylandsea area with one person clinging to it and the West Mersea lifeboat was directed to it and rescued the occupant.

Coastguard officers from Bradwell and Mundon together with lifeboat club officials then began the long task of checking the seawalls for boats that were adrift or blown ashore to ensure that everyone was accounted for.

In the meantime three windsurfers were reported in difficulty off Osea Island and one missing for one and a half hours.

The rescue helicopter having recovered a windsurfer from Osea was directed to Whitstable in Kent where the RNLI lifeboat had capsized whilst going to the aid of others in distress.

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