A quick-thinking yacht passenger has described how he saved the life of a teenager who nearly drowned in the River Medway after falling from a boat.

The 18-year-old, known only as Jake, was minutes from death after he plunged into the water at Stangate Creek on Saturday evening.

Gareth Jackson, 37, from Ashford, was on the yacht Chrita Deana, nearby, when he heard a loud splash just before 7pm.

When it became clear the teenager was in trouble, Mr Jackson – who used to be a member of the pilot launch boat crew at the Port of Dover – quickly sprung into action.

He threw the teenager a life ring and gave him first aid once he was brought on board.

Mr Jackson said: “If he had been in the water a minute or two longer he would have been a goner. He’s a very lucky boy.

“We heard a splash and within a few seconds he was good few hundred yards away from the boat. He went under a few times and swallowed a lot of water.”
Once the teenager was ashore he was met by the Sheppey coastguard and paramedics.

They assessed his condition was deteriorating due to hypothermia and near drowning, and he was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital.

Sheerness RNLI Inshore Lifeboat was requested to pick up his partner from the boat, and she was taken to the hospital to be with him.

Mr Jackson was taking a yachting exam with friend Dean Fox, yacht owner, at the time of the incident.

They had earlier launched from Herne Bay and carried on with their exam once the teenager had been taken to hospital.

Do you know the rescued man? Phone the newsroom on 01634 227803 or email medwaymessenger@thekmgroup.co.uk