IT has been confirmed that despite the best efforts of the emergency services, yesterday's attempted rescue mission to save a crew member of the Cobelfret vessel Celestine ended in a death.

Thurrock Nub Nub yesterday (Wednesday, 11 March) reported on the incident when the Coastguard flew a medic to the ship as it was making passage up the Thames towards Dagenham following the alert about a medical emergency.

The ship was diverted to the Port of Tilbury where land-based emergency services were on hand and it is understood medics worked with the patient on board for more than an hour but were unable to save him.

A statement from the East of England Ambulance service says: "An ambulance, rapid response vehicle and three vehicles from the Hazardous Area Response Team were called out to a medical emergency on a boat coming into Tilbury Docks just before 2pm yesterday. Sadly, despite the best efforts of all involved, the male patient sadly died."

Today a spokesperson from The Port of Tilbury added: "The Port of Tilbury assisted the PLA yesterday when a medical emergency was reported onboard a vessel sailing along the Thames. We were sorry to hear that the person unfortunately passed away and our condolences go to his family and colleagues."