The officer was searching for boat or persons in distress after flare had been seen

Coastguard pushed into water by unknown assailant
Officer safe and well but suffers grazing after incident on Medway Strand

An Officer from the Medway Coastguard Rescue team was assaulted in the early hours of Sunday morning, whilst on duty.

Three Coastguard Rescue Officers were sent to the Medway Strand area, Gillingham to search for a vessel or people in distress following the sighting of a red flare at 12:50am. The Officer concerned was looking through his binoculars at the time at the possible casualty boat when he was pushed from behind into the water.

Colin Ingram, North Kent Sector Manager, says:

The Officer managed to radio his colleagues for assistance, he was thrown a line and pulled out of the river. Fortunately the officer is safe and well with slight grazing.

Behaviour like this to a member of the Emergency Services whilst out endeavouring to save someone's life is appalling, said the MCA.

The Police attended the scene.

No vessel or people were found to be in distress in the area as a result of the red flare sighting.