A risk-taking angler fishing chest deep without a life jacket in dangerous currents had to be rescued after being swept away.

An RNLI crew hoisted the shaken and hypothermic fisherman struggling in waterlogged waders following the incident at The Street in Whitstable.

Anglers are often known to fish in deep waters off the popular shingle and clay bank extending about half a mile from the shore.

But despite the rescue being a success, the charity has sounded alarm this week after admitting the event was a “struggle”.

Helm Dave Parry said: “We located the male angler, who was in his early 60s a quarter of a mile off The Long Beach, Whitstable, and just managing to stay afloat despite wearing a chest wader.

“He had been fishing chest-deep in the water when he lost his footing and was swept off his feet.

“He looked a little shaken as we brought him onboard the lifeboat and wrapped him in a thermal blanket to keep him warm on the return to the lifeboat station.

“At the boathouse, we were met by the coastguard team and an ambulance crew who found the casualty to be hypothermic and therefore he was transferred to hospital in Margate for observation.”

A fellow fisherman raised the alarm just after 8am on Sunday when they looked around and saw he had disappeared.

After being pulled to safety, paramedics discovered the casualty was hypothermic, and he was taken to QEQM Hospital in Margate.

Lifeboat operations boss Mike Judge explained: “The message we need to get across is there is a risk of getting swept off ‘The Street’ by the strong currents into deeper water and not just being cut off by the tide.

“Anglers should always wear a life jacket over their waders as this will give them a better chance of staying afloat.

“Our crew had a struggle to bring the casualty onboard the lifeboat as his chest wader was full of water.

“We would also urge people to carry some means of communication and raise the alarm should they get into difficulties - although a mobile phone may not work in the conditions - as well as informing persons onshore as to their intentions.

“Fortunately on this occasion, a tragedy was averted.”

Other members of the lifeboat crew involved were Sam Turner, Ollie Myhill and Pete Moore with tractor driver Pete Fenton and launchers Joe Lovett, Robin Nicholl, Jamie Medwin, Ruth Oliver and Ben Sprattling.