A 62-YEAR-OLD yachtsman drowned after his dinghy capsized on the River Medway. The sailor, a member of Hoo Ness Yacht Club, was carrying out maintenance work on his boat when the tragedy occurred.

As he tried to climb from the dinghy onto his boat, the man lost his balance and fell into the water.

A major rescue operation was launched involving Thames Coastguard, Sheerness Lifeboat and an emergency helicopter.

After he was pulled from the river, paramedics battled to resuscitate the man, a Hoo father of two and grandfather, at the scene. But he was pronounced dead on arrival at Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham at around 4pm on Saturday.

Club member Peter Cook heard the news of the accident on his radio while he was out on his yacht.

A request was made for people sailing their yachts to help in a search of the area, because a second man was thought to be missing.

He said: "I was out sailing when I heard an announcement on my yacht at about 3pm to shore radio that someone's vessel had capsized.

"This came from another sailor and he said he had picked up a person from the water.

"I saw the RAF helicopter out, along with the Sheerness Lifeboat and its offshore dinghy.

"I don't know what caused this accident but these waters can be dangerous. There are strong currents and capsizes can be caused by large waves. "It was quite choppy out there."

Club commodore Ray Rush said members were shocked at the sad news. He added: "The first I knew about an accident was when I saw the helicopter, but you don't expect it to be one of your own. I believe he lost his balance and fell into the water, but he was on his own and no one else was involved.

"It is a great shock that a member has died and we all send our condolences to his wife and family. He was an experienced sailor who had been a member for about 10 years here.

He was very quiet, went out on his own a lot but was very skilled."

The flag at Hoo Ness Yacht Club was flying at half-mast yesterday in honour of the man, whose identity has not yet been formally released by police.