A man and three police officers had to be rescued from mud on the river bank in Halling late last night.

The four had to be airlifted to safety by an RAF Sea King helicopter after becoming stuck in the mud shortly after 10pm.

The emergency services, including the police, the ambulance service and HM Coastguard were called out to the area after the man, who suffers from mental health issues, ran down towards the river and fell over in the mud.

The officers, who were following him also got stuck in the mud as they were trying to rescue him as he was sinking quickly.

However, the officers, then became stuck themselves.

It was at this point a decision to call in the helicopter was made so all four could be airlifted.

After they were winched to safety and brought back to land, concern grew for the man, who is in his 40s and from the local area, was suffering from the effects of hypothermia.

The same helicopter then took the man to a hospital in Essex for treatment, along with a police officer.

A spokesman for Medway Police said: “Kent Police was called at 9.30pm on to reports of concern for a man in Halling, near Rochester.

“Officers were called to Marsh Road after it was reported a local man in his 40s had got into difficulty in mud flats near the river and had become stuck.

“Officers assisted along with Kent Fire and Rescue Service and HM Coastguard.

“An RAF Search and Rescue helicopter winched the man free from the mud and he was transported to Southend Hospital where he is being treated for hypothermia symptoms."

The officers were given precautionary checks by paramedics after the incident and it is believed the man may now have been sectioned under the Mental Health Act.