NewsUK NewsKent PoliceEmergency services were alerted to reports of swimmers getting into difficulty at Main Sands in Margate before a man and two children were airlifted to hospital11:59, 26 Jul 2026A man and two children have been airlifted to hospital after getting into difficulty while swimming at a beach in Margate.Emergency services raced to Main Sands beach after the alarm was raised at around 4:30pm on Saturday.A group of swimmers were reportedly in difficulty at the boating pool area before an air ambulance and coastguard helicopter landed on the beach.Witnesses said at least one child was pulled from the water before emergency crews arrived, The Isle of Thanet News reports.Paramedics, police, Margate RNLI, coastguard teams - including the Coastguard rescue helicopter - and a KSS air ambulance joined in with the rescue effort.It is understood the two children were airlifted to King's College Hospital in London while the man was transported to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.A police spokesperson said: "Kent Police was called at 4.36pm to a report that a man and two children had come into difficulty in the sea at Margate, and were receiving medical treatment at the scene."Officers attended to manage traffic in the area and to allow an air ambulance and coastguard helicopter to land."The three casualties were all airlifted to hospital for further treatment."A HM Coastguard spokesperson said: "HM Coastguard responded to reports of a medical incident involving three people in the water in the Margate Main Sands area today, 25 July."First informed at around 4.30pm, Margate and Herne Bay Coastguard Rescue Teams, a lifeboat from Margate RNLI and an HM Coastguard helicopter were sent to the scene, alongside other emergency services."All three people were transferred to hospital."Article continues belowThe Mirror has launched the Save Lives For Sam water safety campaign to tackle the UK's growing drowning crisis. Backed by MPs, Olympic champions, national water safety organisations and bereaved families, the campaign is calling for urgent action to make our waters safer.That includes compulsory water safety lessons in schools, a nationwide public awareness campaign, better lifesaving equipment at high-risk waterways, the introduction of Sam's Law, and a dedicated Minister for Water Safety. Find out more about the campaign and how you can support it here.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Kent PoliceHospitalsVehiclesSwimmingCoast GuardSave Lives for Sam