by Rachel Hovenden

rhovenden@thekmgroup.co.uk

Gravesend's RNLI crew were called out twice yesterday when a man threatened and then jumped in the Thames.

The crew were first called out at 3.30pm on Tuesday (February 14) after receiving reports that a man was theatening to jump in the water from Erith getty.

He was talked down by the police just before the RNLI crew arrived.

But just two and a half hours later the crew were called out again.

The same man, thought to be in his 30s, had jumped in the river from the causeway in Erith.

Dave Parry, RNLI helmsman, said: "Two life boat crew members went to the causeway and pulled him out of the water.

"All that was visible was his arm.

"He was shouting as we pulled him out."

The RNLI crew and police were talking to him but he then got free and jumped in again just five minutes later.

The crew managed to pull the man out again and he was taken into custody by the police.

Mr Parry added: "His life was saved.

"We don't just help broken down boats we save lives."

Ian Dunkley, Gravesend RNLI station manager, said: "The man was heavily intoxicated.

"It was clear he had been drinking.

"It wasn't easy to get him out of the water because he was a well-built man.

"When he sobers up he will hopefully have second thoughts.

"We were on the scene in 10 to 12 minutes so we saved his life rather than searching for a dead body."