UK weather: Man dies after being swept into harbour as heavy rain and wind lash UK

A man has died in “atrocious” weather after he was washed into a harbour amid strong winds and heavy rain across parts of Britain.

More than a month’s worth of rain fell within 24 hours in some areas, according to the Met Office, while fallen trees blocked roads and train tracks in Kent, East Anglia and parts of London

Emergency workers were called to reports that three people had been swept into the harbour by a large wave in Ramsgate, Kent, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said.

A spokeswoman for Kent Police said officers were called to Royal Harbour at about 11.30am to help the coastguard and lifeboat teams.

She said: “Three men were recovered from the water, but one was later pronounced dead at the scene. The other two were taken to hospital for treatment.

“The death is not being treated as suspicious. Enquiries are ongoing to identify next of kin.”

Weather conditions in Ramsgate were described as “atrocious” by the RNLI, with waves reportedly breaking over the harbour wall.

It is understood the combination of a spring tide and the strong winds caused the large volume of water to batter the coast.

The Met Office had issued a yellow warning for rain and wind for most of the south east on Monday, and said that more than a month’s worth of rain had fallen within 24 hours in some places. The warning was due to lapse overnight.

Elsewhere a family of two adults and a baby had to be rescued by Kent Fire and Rescue Service after their car became stuck in flood water on Stickfast Lane, Sutton Valence.

Crews also helped two drivers from separate cars which had broken down in knee-high flood water in Minnis Lane, Dover. When moving the vehicles to safety they also removed a fallen tree which was blocking the road.

And also in Kent, two trains struck the same tree on tracks near Canterbury. A high-speed train and a normal passenger service hit the tree between Sturry and Minster, Southeastern Railway said, but no one was injured.

Met Office Meteorologist Alex Burkill said by 5pm on Monday the largest recorded amount of rainfall in a 24-hour period was in Lenham, Kent with a current total of 57.6mm, while Canterbury saw 45.9mm and 41.3 mm fell in Faversham.

“Just to put that into some context, Kent’s average April monthly rainfall is 49mm so it is fair to say it has seen over a month’s worth of rain in a day,” he said.

Mr Burkill said the rain would clear Kent by 10pm with downpours expected to affect East Anglia until about 2am.

As rainfall blighted the south, 54mph gusts of wind were also recorded in Langdon Bay in Kent, with 48mph also seen in Donna Nook in Lincolnshire, Mr Burkill said.

“The rain has affected a good chunk of the South East, East Anglia, London has been on the edge of it, and down to Hampshire,” he said.

“The bulk of the UK has had a pretty decent day.”

The soggy start to the week also came with chilly temperatures, with the mercury struggling to rise above 5C in Kent, Mr Burkill added.

PA