A man pulled from the water at Ramsgate harbour today (September 18) has sadly died, police have confirmed.
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.
Ramsgate RNLI launched the inshore lifeboat and recovered the casualty who was passed to ambulance staff.
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.”
Sadly, Kent Police now confirm the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
A Kent Police spokesperson said: “Kent Police was called to Ramsgate sands at 1.45pm following a report that a swimmer had got into trouble in the sea.
“Officers attended along with South East Coast Ambulance Service and HM Coastguard and a man was pronounced deceased at the scene.
“His death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be prepared for the coroner.”
A SECAmb spokesperson said: “SECAmb were called at approx. 2:05pm to reports that a swimmer had got into trouble in the sea near Ramsgate harbour. Crews assessed and treated a male patient, however sadly he died at the scene.”
I saw this rescue and the lifeboat volunteer who was carrying out CPR as the vessel entered the harbour and didn’t stop for a good 20 minutes until they were relieved by a colleague. Great work by the RMLI crew but a sad outcome for the swimmer, RIP.
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How lucky we are to have a volunteer service like the RNLI. Not beholding to Governments or authority. Secular and voluntary – just works to the principle that “The sea shall not have them”!
Well said, Keith. The dedication and bravery of the volunteers of the RNLI in risking their own lives to save others is an inspiration to us all.
My commiserations to both the family, but also the CPR provider. I’ve had friends and family whose CPR has not resulted in the outcome we all hope for, but it’s so important to have tried. Thank you for your effort everyone..
just curious Keith Veness , whos pulling the rnli ,s strings at dover then ?
I hadn’t realised that Keith Veness was a director at the RNLI, and would be in a position to answer your question about the Dover lifeboat.
Nor do I see what it has to do with the tragic situation in Ramsgate Harbour.
What does “pulling the RNLI’s strings at Dover” mean?
What do you think “pulling the RNLI’s strings at Dover” means, M.M.Rees?
Go on, have a wild guess.
“Pulling the strings” is a reference to the activities of the shore based crew when recovering a lifeboat after a shout. The shore crew handle the mooring lines, locally known as “strings”, in assisting in the mooring up.
Andrew- best answer ever.
I was on the harbour arm. The 999 call handler could have been quicker in arranging a rescue instead of not understanding the word coastguard. I think there should be an inquiry into the call handlers response.