A daytripper has died after he fell from the rigging of a boat and plunged into the Thames off Southend.
The 75-year-old man from Hockley was on board the 105-year-old former trading vessel the Albatros when he lost his grip, hit the side of the boat and fell into the water.
Two people on board the vessel dived into the water, near Maplin Sands, at around 3pm yesterday and looked after the man until a Southend lifeboat crew arrived to lift him out of the water.
The man, who paid £58 for the trip, was taken to Shoebury seafront where a paramedic crew were waiting for him, but he was declared dead at the scene.
The ship has docked at Southend Pier and the pier and two inspectors from the Government's Marine Accident Information Branch (MAIB) were today investigating the incident.
An Essex Police spokesman said police were initially called but the MAIB have taken over the investigation. He added the incident was "not being treated as suspicious."
Published Monday August 23, 2004
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