A man is fighting for his life after being rescued from the sea off Leysdown on the Isle of Sheppey. RNLI lifeguard Jordan Box paddled 300 metres on his surfboard to reach the unconscious man, who was not breathing, and dragged him back to shore.
Box performed CPR on the man alongside a paramedic, and their fast reactions helped save his life. The man, believed to be in his 40s, was later taken to King's College Hospital in London in a serious condition.
Witness Carol King, 67, said: 'That young lifeguard deserves a medal. It was an incredible rescue. Everyone on the seawall who had been watching applauded when he brought the man ashore.'
The incident occurred just before 6pm on Grove Avenue near the Talk of the Town pub. Police, ambulance crews and an RNLI lifeboat were called to the scene. A second man, who was also on the fishing boat that sank, was unharmed and did not require treatment.
RNLI lifeguard manager James Uren said both men were wearing lifejackets, which the RNLI always recommends. He added: 'Something must have happened which resulted in them being in the water. Thankfully our lifeguards were on hand to offer assistance.'
