A teenage boy was airlifted to a London hospital in a serious condition after he was discovered in the sea.

There was a huge emergency service response to the stone pier in Margate yesterday afternoon after reports of a person in difficulty in the water.

Paramedics and police were called shortly before 1.30pm. The RNLI lifeboat was also launched.

An ambulance service spokesman said: “Ambulance crews attended and the male patient was given emergency treatment before being taken to hospital for onward transport to London by air ambulance in a serious condition.

“We would like to thank all those who assisted at the scene prior to our arrival.”

An RNLI spokesperson added: “Margate D-class and B-class were diverted from a search yesterday afternoon to assist in an incident involving a casualty in the water.

“On arrival, the casualty had already been transferred to the harbour. An RNLI crew member assisted with casualty care.”

Emma-Louise Sackett, whose teenage daughter witnessed the incident, says she was in “complete shock”.

“She had a panic attack,” the 39-year-old said.

“There were three ambulances, a search and rescue vehicle, and as she was walking back to her grandma’s, a police car was en route.”