Emergency crews at the scene in Galleon Boulevard

A man has died after being taken to hospital when he is thought to have got into trouble while swimming in a Dartford lake.

The 34-year-old, from the town, was left seriously ill after the dip at Crossways Business Park yesterday morning.

It is thought he had got into difficulties while swimming in Cotton Lake.

Kent Police said the man - whose identity has not been released - was taken to King's College Hospital in London, where he later died.

The coroner has been informed and police, but police are not treating the death as suspicious.

Officers were called to the lake, near Galleon Boulevard, at around 10am to reports of concern for a man seen swimming.

A witness, who did not want to be named, said a fisherman at the lake rushed in to try and save the man before emergency services arrived.

The man was spotted swimming in Cotton Lake in Galleon Boulevard

A large-scale emergency operation was launched, with several crews from South East Coast Ambulance Service and Kent Fire and Rescue Service at the scene.

The lake, in Galleon Boulevard, is next to The Wharf pub.

A police spokesman said the man had been taken to the London hospital by an ambulance.

Ambulance crews at the scene on Crossways Business Park