Woman dies after early morning sea swim with a lifeboat crew recovering her body

A swimmer has been found dead in the sea after going missing off the Kent coast in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Emergency services began a search near Margate after she had been reported missing and then the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) later confirmed that she had died.

Two RNLI lifeboats were deployed as part of the search along with support from the coastguard and local emergency services.

The woman was reported missing just after 3am on Saturday morning and search teams covered areas near Margate harbour and Nayland Rock as well as further east to allow for tidal drift.

The body of a woman was discovered around three hours into the search by members of the RNLI's shore crew.

Emergency were called after a swimmer was reported missing off the Kent coast in the early hours of Saturday morning (Getty Images)

The South East Coast Ambulance Service attended and the woman was declared dead at the scene.

The RNLI said that the body was found after an extensive search of the area around Margate.

It stated: "UK Coastguard received information at around 3am today (Saturday 11 September) reporting a missing female swimmer off Margate’s main sands.

"A major search was launched involving Margate’s D class and B class RNLI lifeboats; the coastguard rescue helicopter from Lydd Airport; Margate and Herne Bay coastguard rescue teams; Kent Police and Kent Fire & Rescue Service.

"The search covered Margate harbour and Nayland Rock areas including the boating and swimming pools, also further to the east allowing for tidal drift. Visual, illuminant flares and electronic aids including FLIR were used in the search.

"Around three hours into the search two members of Margate RNLI’s shore crew discovered the body of a women in the harbour as the water drained on the ebbing tide. South East Coast Ambulance Service along with coastguard officers and Kent Police attended and she was declared deceased at the scene.

"The search was called off and all units returned to station.

"We pass on our deep condolences to the family and friends of the deceased."

A spokesman for Kent Police reportedly said they did not think there were any suspicious circumstances “at present”.

Officers are continuing their enquiries, and will be preparing a report for the coroner.