A massive search was under way last night for a woman who was swept away after she fell into a river while rescuing her dog.
Two passers-by tried to save her as she was carried away by the river in Blandford, Dorset at around 3pm today.
A Dorset Police spokesman said: "We are investigating reports from the public that a woman has fallen in to the River Stour at Blandfor
d after rescuing her dog."
The police helicopter and marine section, with the police boat, were searching alongside Dorset Fire Service's swift water rescue team and Portland Coastguard teams.
A woman tried to rescue her and an elderly man jumped into the river to try to save her but had to be pulled out by passers-by.
He was airlifted to Yeovil Hospital in Somerset for treatment, the police spokesman added.
Ros Evans, Portland Coastguard Watch Manager, said: "The search for the missing woman is ongoing.
"She was seen being swept down river after attempting to rescue her dog.
"Sadly we have not been able to find any sign of her yet.
"We would like to take this opportunity to remind members of the public about the dangers of rivers while swollen.
"Please do be careful on banks and never enter a flooding river.
"Always call 999 and request the appropriate emergency service in a distress situation."
A Coastguard spokeswoman said the woman was walking her dog at the time and added: "We believe the dog ended up in the river somehow. She went in after it and was swept away."
She said: "At one stage a woman attempted to rescue her but failed. Later a man went in after her and was pulled out.
"We believe the dog is OK but they haven't found the lady yet."
She said: "It's a swollen river. There has been a lot of rain recently so it probably is fast running."
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