A TEENAGE girl and two women were hurled into the sea after their catamaran capsized in the Solent.

Cowes lifeboat was called out just before 3pm yesterday after being caught by a gusting south-westerly wind near East Lepe Buoy.

The teenager, who is reported to have been in a distressed state, was immediately taken aboard the lifeboat.

Crew member James Luke suffered a crush injury to his hand after jumping into the water to help the two women try to right the catamaran.

Cowes Harbour Commission launch arrived to give support but the crew was also unable to right the boat.

Lifeboat helmsman Mark Harker said:“It was really rough and windy, giving everyone a major challenge. The two women were clearly exhausted when they, too, were brought aboard the lifeboat.”

The lifeboat took the catamaran crew to Calshot and the boat, still upside down, was later towed there by the harbour launch.

After the lifeboat returned to Cowes an ice pack was applied to James’s hand, which he insisted was "not too bad".

Yesterday the lifeboat went to the aid of a motorboat, with two people aboard, which was stuck in the mud in Newtown Creek.

The motorboat was towed off the mud and continued its journey to Yarmouth after it was found to be undamaged.