Major Rescue Operation Ends in Tragedy Off Folkestone Coast
A massive sea rescue kicked off just after midday on Thursday when Border Force’s RIB Athena spotted an unconscious woman face down in the water near Folkestone.
Coastguard, RNLI, and Border Force Launch Urgent Recovery
The coastguard rescue helicopter Rescue 163, the RNLI Littlestone lifeboat, and Border Force units scrambled immediately. Crew aboard Athena made several attempts to recover the woman from the water.
The victim was swiftly airlifted by paramedics on board Rescue 163 to William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.
Not a Migrant, Death Not Suspicious
Initial fears that the woman was a migrant have been ruled out. All search efforts have now been stood down.
Kent Police Confirm Identity and Investigation
Kent Police were called at 12.07pm on Thursday 24 March after a body was spotted off the Folkestone coast,” a spokesman said.
Officers along with RNLI, Coastguard, and Border Force attended. A woman was pronounced deceased at the scene. Formal ID is pending, though family of a 63-year-old woman reported missing on Wednesday 23 March have been informed.”
“The death is not being treated as suspicious. A coroner’s report will follow.”
