
BREAKING NEWS Child is missing in the Thames as RNLI, Coastguard helicopter and police boats launch major search
One child has been recovered from the water but the search continues for a second youngster, according to Coastguard officials.
An RNLI lifeboat, coastguard helicopter as well as police boats are involved in the operation after the alarm was raised this afternoon at Gravesend, Kent.
An HM Coastguard spokesman said: 'HM Coastguard is responding to a report of two children in difficulty in the water near the Royal Terrace Pier, Gravesend.
'The alarm was raised at about 1.35pm on 30 May. One child has been recovered and the search is ongoing for a second.
' Metropolitan Police boats are attending as well as the RNLI lifeboat from Gravesend, Kent
'Police, and a police helicopter. South East Coast Ambulance Service was sent.'
A Kent Police spokesperson said: 'Kent Police was called by the Port of London Authority at 1.46pm on Friday to concerns for the welfare of two people who had entered the river at Royal Pier Road, Gravesend.
'Officers, Kent Fire and Rescue Service, the RNLI and South East Coast Ambulance Service are currently at the scene where enquiries and a search are underway.'
A SECAmb spokesperson said: 'SECAmb were called at approx. 1.40pm today to concerns for the welfare of two people who had entered the river at Royal Pier Road in Gravesend.
'Crews attended the scene, and a male patient was assessed and treated before being taken to a local hospital for further medical treatment.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
22 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Shower gel advert banned for depicting black skin as 'problematic' and white skin as 'superior' by advertising watchdog
A shower gel advert has been banned for depicting black skin as 'problematic' and white skin as 'superior', the advertising watchdog has said. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) banned the ad after investigating complaints that it perpetuated a 'negative and offensive racial stereotype'. The Sanex shower gel ad, broadcast in June, depicted a black woman with red scratch marks and another covered with a cracked clay-like material. Over this, a voiceover said: 'To those who might scratch day and night. To those whose skin will feel dried out even by water.' Over scenes of a white woman the ad stated: 'Try to take a shower with the new Sanex skin therapy and its patented amino acid complex. For 24 hour hydration feel.' The ad ended with on-screen text and the voiceover adding: 'Relief could be as simple as a shower.' Colgate-Palmolive, which owns the Sanex brand, argued the depiction of diverse models in the ad was shown in a 'before and after' scenario to demonstrate their product was suitable for all, rather than as a comparison based on race or ethnicity. On that basis, it believed the ad did not perpetuate negative racial stereotypes and was not likely to cause serious or widespread offence. Clearcast, which approves or rejects ads for television broadcast, said the ad did not perpetuate negative racial stereotypes and instead demonstrated the product's inclusivity. The agency said one model with darker skin was depicted in a 'stylised and unrealistic way' to demonstrate dryness, but her skin tone was otherwise not a focal point. However the ASA said the use of different skin colours created a juxtaposition of black skin shown as itchy and dry in the 'before' scenes, and white skin shown as smoother in the 'after' scenes. The watchdog said: 'The ad was therefore structured in such a way that it was the black skin, depicted in association with itchy and dry skin, which was shown to be problematic and uncomfortable, whereas the white skin, depicted as smoother and clean after using the product, was shown successfully changed and resolved. 'We considered that could be interpreted as suggesting that white skin was superior to black skin.' The ASA added: 'Although we understood that this message was not the one intended and might appear coincidental or pass unnoticed by some viewers, we considered that the ad was likely to reinforce the negative and offensive racial stereotype that black skin was problematic and that white skin was superior. 'We concluded that the ad included a racial stereotype and was therefore likely to cause serious offence.' Colgate-Palmolive was approached for comment.


The Independent
24 minutes ago
- The Independent
Kneecap rapper to appear in court for alleged support of terrorist group
A member of rap group Kneecap is due to appear in court for allegedly supporting a proscribed terror organisation. Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig in November last year. Demonstrations in support of the rapper have been organised outside Westminster Magistrates' Court in London where he is due to appear on Wednesday, as well as in Dublin. The Metropolitan Police has imposed conditions limiting where the demonstration outside the court can take place on Wednesday, saying they were needed to 'prevent serious disruption'. In response the rap group described this move as a 'calculated political decision' that was 'designed to try and portray support for Kneecap as somehow troublesome' and 'asked supporters to go out of your way to be compliant with all instructions issued, irrespective of how pitiful'. O hAnnaidh received a rockstar welcome when he appeared at the same court in June, supported by fellow bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and J J O Dochartaigh. He was greeted by a festival-like atmosphere for his first court appearance, with dozens of fans waving flags, playing drums and one supporter setting off a smoke canister. The court previously heard the 27-year-old defendant is 'well within his rights' to voice his opinions on the Israel- Palestine conflict, but the alleged incident at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, was a 'wholly different thing'. O hAnnaidh is yet to enter a plea to the charge.


The Independent
24 minutes ago
- The Independent
Major brand has advert banned for suggesting black skin is ‘problematic'
A Sanex shower gel television advertisement has been banned by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for reinforcing an offensive racial stereotype. The watchdog ruled the ad, which suggested black skin was "problematic" and white skin "superior", must not air again. This followed two complaints that it perpetuated negative stereotypes about darker skin tones. The ad, seen in June, included a voiceover that said: 'To those who might scratch day and night. To those whose skin will feel dried out even by water,' alongside scenes of a black woman with red scratch marks and another covered with a cracked clay-like material. Alongside scenes of a white woman taking a shower with the product, the ad then stated: 'Try to take a shower with the new Sanex skin therapy and its patented amino acid complex. For 24 hour hydration feel.' The ad ended with on-screen text and the voiceover stating: 'Relief could be as simple as a shower.' Colgate-Palmolive, which owns the Sanex brand, said the depiction of diverse models in the ad, either experiencing skin discomfort or post-product relief, was shown in a 'before and after' scenario to show their product was suitable and effective for all, rather than as a comparison based on race or ethnicity. On that basis, it believed the ad did not perpetuate negative racial stereotypes and was not likely to cause serious or widespread offence. Clearcast, which approves or rejects ads for broadcast on television, said the ad did not perpetuate negative racial stereotypes and instead demonstrated the product's inclusivity. The agency said one model with darker skin was depicted in a 'stylised and unrealistic way' to demonstrate dryness, but her skin tone was otherwise not a focal point. A second model, also with darker skin, was shown with itchy skin, but this was portrayed through scratching visibly healthy skin and the resulting marks, and was therefore more about sensation than any visible skin condition. The ASA said the use of different skin colours was a means of portraying a 'before and after' of the product's use, which created a juxtaposition of black skin shown as itchy, dry and cracked in the 'before' scenes, and white skin shown as smoother skin in the 'after' scenes. The watchdog said: 'The ad was therefore structured in such a way that it was the black skin, depicted in association with itchy and dry skin, which was shown to be problematic and uncomfortable, whereas the white skin, depicted as smoother and clean after using the product, was shown successfully changed and resolved. 'We considered that could be interpreted as suggesting that white skin was superior to black skin.' The ASA added: 'Although we understood that this message was not the one intended and might appear coincidental or pass unnoticed by some viewers, we considered that the ad was likely to reinforce the negative and offensive racial stereotype that black skin was problematic and that white skin was superior. 'We concluded that the ad included a racial stereotype and was therefore likely to cause serious offence.' It further told Colgate-Palmolive 'to ensure they avoided causing serious offence on the grounds of race'.