The incident took a further twist when reports were received of a naked man calling for help in the water.
The Coastguard, RNLI, and police coordinated the joint operation, which involved three RNLI lifeboats, two Coastguard rescue teams, a Coastguard rescue helicopter, and numerous police units.
Upon arriving at the scene, coastguard officers were alerted to the naked man who had entered the sea and was heard calling for help but was never seen leaving the water.
Fortunately, emergency responders were able to guide the stranded group to safety via a cliff path, allowing a search operation to be carried out to locate the reported person in the sea.
Search efforts included the use of parachute-illuminating flares, searchlights, and airborne electronic detection aids. Coastguard units conducted a thorough shoreline search, covering the stretch between North Foreland and Walpole Bay for approximately three hours.
Despite the initial group being safely recovered and no further reports of missing individuals, the search was eventually called off, and the rescue units were stood down.
Lee Button, Deputy Launching Authority of Margate RNLI, commended the efforts of all involved in what could have been a serious mass-casualty rescue operation. He urged people to be aware of the potential risks of being cut off by the tide while on beaches in the area.
The collaborative response from the coastguard, RNLI, and police highlights the importance of swift and coordinated efforts in emergency situations to ensure the safety of those involved.
