14.07.2013

Man missing off Gravesend Promenade

Maritime and Coastguard Agency News Release

The search will continue at low water tonight for a man who went missing in the sea just off Gravesend Promenade this afternoon after he went to the rescue of a young girl who had got into difficulty.

At just after half past three this afternoon the London Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre was contacted by a member of the public who reported that two people were in difficulty in the water just off Gravesend Promenade. The RNLI lifeboat from Gravesend was sent immediately to the scene. Meanwhile four members of the public went in to the water to help the man and girl. The girl was safely rescued but unfortunately the man disappeared under the water.

Two launches from the PLA and Metropolitan Police joined the RNLI lifeboat in searching the sea with the Essex Police helicopter searching from the air. Unfortunately the man was not found. The Medway Coastguard Rescue team, Gravesend RNLI lifeboat, PLA and Kent Police will search along the shoreline at low water (around midnight tonight).

London Coastguard Watch Manager Philip Myers said:

"The lifeboat was on scene really quickly this afternoon and everyone involved did everything they could to find the man. We will carry out a search of the shoreline tonight but this is increasingly looking like a tragic accident.”