One person has been brought ashore by Ramsgate RNLI and transferred to hospital this afternoon (September 18).
Ramsgate RNLI, South East Coast Ambulance service, Kent Police, fire service and the Coastguard helicopter were in attendance at Ramsgate harbour from around 1.50pm. An aircraft from Essex & Herts Air Ambulance also assisted as the two Kent, Surrey and Sussex teams were already assisting patients elsewhere in the region.
A HM Coastguard spokesperson said: “HM Coastguard coordinated the response to a man reported to have been in difficulty in the water of Ramsgate.
“The alarm was raised at about 1.45pm. The HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Lydd. Coastguard Rescue Teams assisted from Felixstowe, Hythe and Margate.
“The RNLI’s inshore lifeboat from Ramsgate recovered the man from the water and he was passed into the care of South East Ambulance Service for transfer to hospital. An air ambulance and Kent Police attended.”
A Ramsgate RNLI spokesperson said: “We launched the inshore lifeboat and recovered the casualty who is now in the care of the emergency services.”
A witness said two ambulance crews went aboard the lifeboat and some 30 services personnel were at the scene. He added: “Police were on scene to coordinate the arrival of a fire engine, an ambulance operational command unit and Coastguard vehicle.
“Meanwhile, a Coastguard helicopter winched two crewmen onto Ramsgate Harbour. A single casualty was hoisted from the lifeboat and transferred to an ambulance.”
UPDATE: Kent Police now confirm the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
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