30 May 2025 , 17:23
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A significant search is underway following an incident where two children encountered difficulty in the River Thames.
The RNLI, Coastguard, Metropolitan Police and Kent Police are all at the scene after the two children went into the water near Royal Pier Road in Gravesend.
One of the children, a boy, has since been rescued, but a search for the second child, a girl, is still underway, HM Coastguard said.
The parents of the two children have been informed.
Emergency services were first alerted at about 1.35pm, and lifeboats, police boats and coastguard helicopters are all at the scene.
A HM Coastguard spokesman said: ‘HM Coastguard is responding to a report of two children in difficulty in the water near the Royal Terrace Pier, Gravesend.
‘The alarm was raised at about 1.35pm. One child has been recovered and the search is ongoing for a second.
‘Metropolitan Police boats are attending as well as the RNLI lifeboat from Gravesend, Kent Police, and a police helicopter. South East Coast Ambulance Service was sent.’
A Kent Police spokesperson said: ‘Kent Police was called by the Port of London Authority to concerns for the welfare of two children who had entered the river at Royal Pier Road, Gravesend.
‘Officers, H.M. Coastguard, the RNLI and South East Coast Ambulance Service attended the scene where a boy had been retrieved from the water.
‘He was taken to local hospital for further medical attention. A search is underway for a girl who remains missing. The parents of the children have been informed.’
An ambulance spokesperson said: ‘SECAmb were called at approximately 1.40pm today to concerns for the welfare of two people who had entered the river at Royal Pier Road in Gravesend.
‘Crews attended the scene, and a male patient was assessed and treated before being taken to a local hospital for further medical treatment.’
Deputy Editor