A woman who died after being pulled from the sea off Folkestone was known to the police already, it has emerged.

The 39-year-old did not survive her injuries after the coastguard helicopter lifted her from the sea yesterday morning.

Kent Police has now referred the matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

A major search and rescue operation was launched just before 7am involving Dover lifeboat, coastguard shore and helicopter rescue teams along with police and paramedics.

But the police had been called at 6.30pm on Monday "in relation to the concern for welfare of a woman", a police spokesman said.

They added: "Following the death of a woman who was rescued from the sea and who subsequently died in hospital, Kent Police is referring the matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission due to previous contact relating to the same woman.

"The referral to the IPCC is mandatory in these circumstances."

Despite the efforts of medics, she could not be saved and died in hospital.

She was lifted by helicopter because of the difficulty lifeboat crews had getting close to her because of rocks on the shore and wave conditions in the area.

Robert Bendhiaf, duty coxswain of Dover RNLI lifeboat, said: “The conditions were pretty bad, and obviously all parties were very concerned about the woman.

“This is a tragic outcome and we are all very sad that she did not survive.

“As with many of our launches, we do not yet know the reasons why this woman was in the sea, but needless to say it is an awful outcome and the crews’ thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of this young lady.”