A JET ski instructor was taken to hospital following a collision at sea during a session.

The accident happened at around 3pm on Monday near Brighton's Palace Pier and involved a RIB powerboat and a jet ski. 

During a supervised session by Brighton Boating, which is based at Brighton Marina, the instructor was on the boat and was teaching two people who were on their own jet skis. 

A spokesman for Brighton Boating said: “While midway through the session, while the RIB was stationary, our instructor was talking to one of the jet ski occupants, who was also stationary.

“The other ski then ran into the side of the RIB and knocked the instructor into the water.

The Argus:

“The instructor called us on the VHF radio and we immediately attended the scene with another safety boat and three  staff. 

“We were there within minutes and secured the instructor while waiting for the lifeboat. 

“At the same time our staff took the clients back to Brighton Marina and they were then, as a precaution, checked over by the ambulance crew and immediately released.

“En route to the incident we radioed Solent Coastguard who then co-ordinated the RNLI and sent out the lifeboat.”

Brighton Boats said the instructor was taken to hospital having sustained “bad bruising” but was released later that evening.

The spokesman added: “We are very happy our instructor escaped with minor injuries and also grateful to all those who attended and helped during the incident.”

The Argus:

Following the incident there was some confusion among emergency services regarding who was involved. 

Yesterday morning, Brighton RNLI confirmed that the casualty was a woman. 

A spokeswoman said the lifeboat was called  at 2.57pm to a report of "a collision of two jet skis" south of the Palace Pier and the crew found "a female casualty in the water". 

She said: “Also on scene was the city council’s lifeguard patrol boat. An assessment of the person was made. 

“The lifeboat was then joined by a rescue helicopter from Lydd, who lowered their paramedic and specialist equipment to the lifeboat. 

“The casualty was then brought on to the lifeboat and transported to Brighton Marina, when Secamb [South East Coast Ambulance] took over."