Lifeboat rescue for yacht's crew

The skipper and his daughter were in the water for about 10 minutes

Four people have been rescued by lifeboat and coastguard crews after their yacht sank in the Thames Estuary.

The boat's 45-year-old owner, his 15-year-old daughter, and two men aged 19 were picked up off Tilbury Marshes, Essex, at about 1120 GMT.

The Muddy Water, which was travelling from Whitstable towards London, is believed to have hit an underwater groyne near Gravesend, Kent.

The 27-foot yacht sank within about 10 seconds, a lifeboat spokesperson said.

All four were in "immediate danger", he added.

Semi-conscious

The teenage girl was in the water struggling inside a sleeping bag by the time rescuers arrived.

She and her father were in the water for about 10 minutes.

The skipper, who was the only crew member wearing a life jacket, was semi-conscious and his body temperature had dropped to a "life-threatening level", said Graham Tassell, from Gravesend RNLI lifeboat.

We think the yacht hit something that ripped the bottom of the boat off, completely destroying the keel Graham Tassell, Gravesend RNLI

The two 19-year-olds, who had managed to reach the mud line of the river, were helped into the lifeboat.

Mr Tassell said: "Our helmsman, Dave Greenfield, went over the side with a safety line attached and managed to coax them back to the water so they could come onboard the lifeboat.

"We think the yacht hit something that ripped the bottom of the boat off, completely destroying the keel."

All four were taken to Darenth Valley Hospital in Dartford, Kent.

London Coastguard, London Port Health authority, the Port of London Harbour authority and Gravesend RNLI lifeboat all sent boats to assist the rescue.

A mayday call from the boat had cut out before a position was given but a member of public who saw two men clambering ashore called 999 to report the incident to the Coastguard.

Anthony Mayhew, from London Coastguard thanked the member of public who called the emergency services.

"Undoubtedly, with the information received from that person, we were able to swiftly direct rescue resources to the situation these sailors found themselves in.

"This incident could very easily have had a different outcome."