A man pulled from the sea yesterday following a search and rescue mission was pronounced dead shortly after, police have confirmed.

Emergency services rushed to the Deal area after reports that someone was in the water.

Coastguard and lifeguard crews joined the operation and the man was located and taken ashore.

Tragically, paramedics were unable to save him.

A Kent Police spokesman said this morning: “We were called by the coastguard just after midday after they recovered a man from the water in Deal.

“Officers attended, along with South East Coast Ambulance Service, and the man was pronounced deceased a short while later. His next of kin have been informed.

“His death is not being treated as suspicious and a report is being prepared for the coroner.”

The coastguard helicopter and lifeboat crews had been scrambled at about 11.30am.

Eyewitnesses had yesterday seen a coastguard helicopter land at Walmer Green, near the Walmer RNLI station, and police and ambulance vehicles in the area.