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A man who waded into the sea up to his neck with his young daughter on his shoulders after becoming stranded on a beach has been saved by lifeboat crews.
The rescue has prompted the Margate RNLI - which said the incident "could have been disastrous" - to warn people not to try venturing around headlands if they become cut off by the tide.
It was only by coincidence the father and daughter were spotted by lifeboat volunteers, as the crew was called to assist another duo yesterday.
Margate RNLI was dispatched along with the Margate Coastguard rescue team at about 2pm, to reports an adult couple had been cut off by the tide at the Broadstairs end of Botany Bay.
The lifeboat volunteers quickly found the pair beneath the Botany Bay Hotel, but they were not in immediate danger and said were content to wait for the ebbing tide to allow them to leave the bay.
But while the helmsman spoke with the couple, the lifeboat crew spotted a man up to his neck in water with his young daughter on his shoulders, attempting to wade around an adjacent headland.
They quickly rescued the man and child, bringing them on board the lifeboat before landing them safely in Botany Bay.
Both were unharmed, but were provided with firm safety advice before the lifeboat returned to its station.
The incident has prompted the lifeboat crew to issue a warning.
Nick Smith, deputy launching authority at Margate RNLI said: “The situation with the man and child could have ended so differently.
"The area consists of uneven rock, sand and gullies, some deep.
"If they had stumbled into a gully the consequences could have been disastrous.
"We urge people to check the state of the tide before venturing around headlands and bays and if you find yourself cut off, stay where you are and attempt to raise the alarm by mobile phone or by shouting to anyone on the clifftop or a passing boat.
"Do not under any circumstances attempt to wade around the headland but remain in the bay above the waterline."
