A kayaker was airlifted to the hospital after their boat capsized in the River Medway.

Crews from the Sheerness RNLI were called by the coastguard at around 3.20pm on Saturday (April 6) to a report a man was in the water near the Isle of Grain.

The inshore lifeboat was sent out and volunteers were able to pull him out of the river, near Half Acre Creek.

He was then airlifted to the hospital by the coastguard helicopter.

A further two people, who were also kayakers and part of the same group of eight, were also rescued from the mud and taken back to the lifeboat station in Sheerness.

The other five kayakers later reported they were safe and ashore near Motney Hill.

Speaking after the call-out, Sheerness RNLI Coxswain Paul Jarvis, said: “This was a classic case of wrong area, wrong time, and wrong conditions.

“Some of the group had never experienced the conditions that were prevailing that day, especially with southwest winds blowing six to seven on a falling tide.

“Again, we had a scenario that could have had a lot different outcome, but with our highly trained crews and local knowledge the result was good for all concerned.”

Read More: The volunteer crews behind the pager at Sheerness Lifeboat Station.

The charity has since warned people to check the weather and tides when enjoying the water and to ask sailing and water sports groups for more information on the conditions you could encounter.

The Environment Agency has today issued a series of flood alerts for areas right along the Kent coast and a flood warning for the River Medway basin.

A flood warning has been issued for the tidal section of the River Medway, including Aylesford, Larkfield, Wouldham, Medway Towns, Upnor, Hoo, Lower Halstow and the Isle of Grain, Middle Stoke and Lower Stoke.