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Coastguard, police and ambulance called to incident by M2 bridge near Rochester

11:20, 05 January 2021

updated: 13:29, 05 January 2021

A coastguard helicopter and the police were called to help search after reports a body was seen in a river close to a motorway bridge.

Emergency services were called to the Medway Valley Park near the M2 bridge which crosses the River Medway at 9.30am.

The coastguard helicopter and emergency teams have been called to the area near the M2 bridge and have been spotted searching at Cuxton Marina
The coastguard helicopter and emergency teams have been called to the area near the M2 bridge and have been spotted searching at Cuxton Marina

Witnesses reported seeing the coastguard helicopter flying low in the Borstal and Cuxton area at about 10.45am.

Teams have been checking both sides of the river and were also searching at the Cuxton Marina further along from the bridge but no body was found, a police spokesman said.

Firefighters are also at the scene close to the banks of the river but teams stood down shortly after midday.

A police spokesman said: "Kent Police was called at 9.32am to a report of a body being seen in the water near Station Road, Rochester.

"Officers attended along with the Kent Coastguard and Kent Fire and Rescue Service.

"An area search was carried out, which included the Coastguard helicopter being deployed. No body has been located.

The coastguard helicopter and emergency teams were spotted searching at Cuxton Marina
The coastguard helicopter and emergency teams were spotted searching at Cuxton Marina

"The search concluded at 12.07pm and emergency services have now left the area."

A fire service spokesman added three fire engines and crews from the water safety unit attended to help the search.

Emergency teams from the Coastguard, RNLI, fire service, and ambulance services were also spotted in the area after 8.30pm on Monday.

It is understood a search for a vulnerable person was carried out but nobody was located and teams were stood down.

Fire engines and police are gathered on the banks of the River Medway near the M2 bridge
Fire engines and police are gathered on the banks of the River Medway near the M2 bridge

It is not yet known whether today's search is linked to the incident last night.

Read more: All the latest news from Medway

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