A major emergency response unfolded near Folkestone’s Harbour Arm this morning as search and rescue teams, including a coastguard helicopter, responded to reports of a kayaker in distress.

The incident began around 9:50 am today when a kayaker became separated from their kayak off the coast near Folkestone Pier. A coastguard helicopter was seen hovering over the sea shortly before 11:00 am, searching for the individual.

Local residents have described the scene: “There was a helicopter in the harbour. Ambulances were coming into town, parking in the large overflow car park.”

Both paramedics and coastguard teams were spotted at the beach as part of the large-scale operation. The helicopter landed on Folkestone beach as the search for the kayaker intensified.

A spokesperson for the coastguard confirmed: “We were called to reports of a kayaker who had become separated from a kayak off Folkestone Pier. Folkestone Coastguard Rescue Team attended the scene, alongside an HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter. The casualty was lifted from the water by a winchman paramedic and passed into the care of South East Coast Ambulance Service on land.”

As of now, the kayaker’s condition has not been confirmed, and the South East Coast Ambulance Service has been contacted for further information.