[ad_1]
The swimmer was found just 500 meters off the coast of Dover.
A lone man trying to swim the English Channel from Dover to Calais was rescued after an eight-hour search.
The hunt was prompted by a call to the Coast Guard from a friend of the swimmer on Monday.
A helicopter and lifeboats were launched as part of the rescue effort, and the man was eventually found in a boat just 500 meters off the coast of Dover.
The swimmer was taken to shore and was described as “cold and tired.”
The rescue operation began shortly after noon.
A Coast Guard spokesperson said: “Around 12:10 pm today, HM Coastguard received a call from a member of the public with information that his friend was swimming unaccompanied to Calais from Dover.
“Coast Guard rescue teams were dispatched from Deal and Langdon, RNLI lifeboats from Dover and Dungness, and Coast Guard search and rescue helicopters from Lydd and Lee-on-Solent.
“Vessels in the area were asked to be vigilant and the Kent Police, the Port of Dover Police and the Port of Dover were informed.
“The swimmer was spotted shortly before 8pm by a passing boat just 500 meters from Dover and was taken aboard the RNLI Dungeness lifeboat, cold and tired but otherwise fine.
“It has been taken to the coast and will be reviewed by the Southeast Ambulance Service.”
