Gravesend RNLI saved a man from drowning by pulling him from the Thames at Erith early on Saturday morning (September 6).

A lifeboat was called out at 6.53am to reports of a person in the water at Erith Pier.

He was spotted clinging on to the structure and was pulled to safety.

The man was then taken to Erith Causeway and handed over to a waiting ambulance.

Without the actions of the RNLI crew it is thought he would have died.

The RNLI is running an anti-drowning campaign called Respect the Water which aims to reduce the number of people that drown in our waters.

It encourages people to take care when on or near the sea or rivers.

For more information visit rnli.org/safety