Emergency services were scrambled to Main Sands beach in Margate after a man and two children got into difficulty while swimming on Saturday afternoon. The alarm was raised at around 4:30pm, prompting a response from police, paramedics, RNLI, coastguard teams and an air ambulance.
Rescue operation
Witnesses reported that at least one child was pulled from the water before emergency crews arrived. A coastguard helicopter and a KSS air ambulance landed on the beach as part of the rescue effort.
The two children were airlifted to King's College Hospital in London, while the man was taken to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.
Statements from authorities
A Kent Police spokesperson said: "Kent Police was called at 4.36pm to a report that a man and two children had come into difficulty in the sea at Margate, and were receiving medical treatment at the scene. Officers attended to manage traffic in the area and to allow an air ambulance and coastguard helicopter to land. The three casualties were all airlifted to hospital for further treatment."
An HM Coastguard spokesperson said: "HM Coastguard responded to reports of a medical incident involving three people in the water in the Margate Main Sands area today, 25 July. First informed at around 4.30pm, Margate and Herne Bay Coastguard Rescue Teams, a lifeboat from Margate RNLI and an HM Coastguard helicopter were sent to the scene, alongside other emergency services. All three people were transferred to hospital."
The Mirror has launched the Save Lives For Sam water safety campaign to tackle the UK's growing drowning crisis.
