SOUTHEND-ON-SEA – Two men were narrowly saved from drowning on Wednesday morning after Kent Police marine officers intercepted a distress call in the Thames Estuary.
The rescue occurred off the coast of Southend, Essex, where a rapidly rising tide had left the pair trapped nearly a mile from shore.
Officers from the Search and Marine Unit were patrolling the estuary aboard the police vessel Invicta when they received an emergency alert at approximately 10:45 am on January 21. A man in his 20s and another in his 30s had reportedly walked out onto the sandbanks earlier in the day, only to be overtaken by the incoming water.
The Invicta was identified as the closest available asset and was vectored to the scene by the coastguard. Upon arrival, rescuers found the water had already reached the men’s necks. Officers estimated that the pair were less than 10 minutes away from being completely submerged by the tide. After being pulled from the water, the men were transported to Southend Pier. They were met by a coastguard paramedic and an ambulance crew for medical assessment.
Highly skilled
Chief Inspector Alan Rogers of Kent Police’s Tactical Operations department was travelling with the Search and Marine Unit when the rescue operation took place.
He said:
‘Kent’s geographical position as a coastal county that is also home to several major rivers makes it even more important for the force to have a Search and Marine Unit. Our officers are highly skilled professionals who carry out vital work every day – protecting the public, supporting those in distress and ensuring criminals cannot exploit our waterways. It was a privilege to see the team in action during the rescue, and I am very pleased that our officers were able to assist these men when they needed help the most.’