Storm brings Melbourne skydivers down

A severe thunderstorm has brought down two skydivers, who ended up in the water off a Melbourne beach.

The tandem skydiving pair were spotted off St Kilda pier after 3pm on Wednesday. They were rescued by Metropolitan Fire Brigade marine firefighters.

The pair said six other tandem parachutists had also come down, and a land and sea search was launched to find them.

They were quickly found after landing along the St Kilda foreshore and in the shallow water at the beach.

Two were taken to the Alfred Hospital, while two others were treated by Ambulance Victoria at the scene.

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Melbourne on Wednesday afternoon, with damaging winds and heavy rain predicted.