A BODY has been found amid a major hunt for a girl who went missing in the River Thames after “getting into difficulty” near the pier.
Emergency services had been frantically searching for the child who disappeared under the water by the Royal Terrace Pier, in Gravesend, Kent on 31 May.
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Kent Police have since confirmed they have retrieved a girl’s body from the water, but formal identification is yet to be completed.
The young girl’s family are being supported by specialist officers.
The alarm was raised at about 1:45pm after two children got into difficulty in the river.
A young boy was quickly recovered whilst an urgent rescue operation was carried out for the girl.
Metropolitan Police boats and the RNLI were called to assist with the search.
A police helicopter and South East Coast Ambulance Service were also sent to the scene.
Kent Police was called by the Port of London Authority.
An HM Coastguard spokesman said: “HM Coastguard is responding to a report of two children in difficulty in the water near the Royal Terrace Pier, Gravesend.
“The alarm was raised at about 1.35pm on 30 May. One child has been recovered and the search is ongoing for a second.
“Metropolitan Police boats are attending as well as the RNLI lifeboat from Gravesend, Kent.
“Police, and a police helicopter. South East Coast Ambulance Service was sent.”
A Kent Police spokesperson said: “Kent Police was called by the Port of London Authority at 1.46pm on Friday 30 May to concerns for the welfare of two children who had entered the river at Royal Pier Road, Gravesend. Officers, H.M.
“Coastguard, the RNLI and South East Coast Ambulance Service attended the scene where a boy had been retrieved from the water.
“He was taken to local hospital for further medical attention. A search is underway for a girl who remains missing. The parents of the children have been informed.”
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