Emergency crews at the scene in Galleon Boulevard

A man who died after swimming in a Dartford lake was being treated at Little Brook Hospital until just hours before his death.

Kent Police have confirmed the man was a voluntary patient at the mental health unit in Bow Arrow Lane, Dartford, and left of his own accord.

A spokesman for Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust said: "We are aware of the death of somebody known to our services.

"The matter is now in the hands of the coroner and as a result we cannot comment further at this stage."

The 34-year-old, from the town, was left seriously ill after the dip at Crossways Business Park on the morning of Wednesday, February 27.

It is thought he had got into difficulties while swimming in Cotton Lake.

Kent Police said the man - whose identity has still not been released - was taken to King's College Hospital in London, where he later died.

The coroner has been informed and his death is not being treated as suspicious.

Officers were called to the lake, near Galleon Boulevard, at around 10am to reports of concern for a man seen swimming.

A witness, who did not want to be named, said a fisherman at the lake rushed in to try to save the man before emergency services arrived.

The man was spotted swimming in Cotton Lake in Galleon Boulevard

A large-scale emergency operation was launched, with several crews from South East Coast Ambulance Service and Kent Fire and Rescue Service at the scene.

The lake, in Galleon Boulevard, is next to The Wharf pub.

A police spokesman said the man had been taken to the London hospital by an ambulance.

Ambulance crews at the scene on Crossways Business Park