Seven people rescued from seas off the coast of Kent overnight after cargo ship sinks in freezing temperatures
SEVEN people have been pulled from freezing water after their cargo ship sunk off the coast of Kent overnight - as winds with gusts up to 50mph battered the region.
An extensive rescue operation was carried out in the last night after the 90-metre vessel carrying seven crew members went down 40 miles off north east of Ramsgate coast.
The UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopters, a Ramsgate lifeboat and a Dutch search and rescue helicopter all attended the scene.
They battled strong winds as they searched for the seven crew members on-board.
Steve Carson, UK Coastguard duty commander, said the crew sent a Mayday alert before abandoning the ship.
He said: "The weather on scene has been challenging but we are pleased to report that all the crew have been rescued and are on their way to hospital."
In the early hours of Saturday morning, One eyewitness tweeted: "Coast guard all over the beach".
Eventually, the seven crew members were transported to a nearby hospital where their condition remains unclear.
It comes after winds with gusts up to 50mph battered Kent last night as freezing temperatures continues to spread across the UK.
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Three lorries jack-knifed in the icy conditions on Thursday night, causing closures on the A23 in Handcross, West Sussex, the M20 in Kent and the A55 eastbound at Northop as authorities desperately urged motorists to drive carefully in the treacherous road conditions.
Up to 20,000 people were evacuated by troops last night amid fears that waves would break over the defences lined up along the coast.
The Met Office has warned that severe weather isn't over just yet, with ice set to freeze over most of the country.
Forecasts of sleet, snow and hail have been issued, with 148 other alerts and warnings still current as wintry showers are forecast for Saturday morning.
The alerts come as authorities downgraded severe flood warnings that were put in place overnight, with no "threat to life" messages in place.
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