A sailor has spotted a waterspout off the Kent coast.
Anna Blake was visiting Hythe Beach at about 9am on Monday when she saw the twister.
“I was just running through the town and as I got to the beach I saw it,” recounted Ms Blake, 43.
“I’d never seen one before, but I’m a sailor so I knew exactly what those look like because I was taught about them.
“It was quite far out to sea – I would say a couple miles out. But it was big enough to be seen with the naked eye.”
KentOnline previously reported on the deaths of husband and wife Jonathan and Judy Bloomer who were onboard the luxury yacht named Bayesian when it encountered a waterspout on August 19.
The Sevenoaks couple were two of six tourists who died when the vessel that sank near Porticello, Italy. A crew member also perished in the disaster.
Mr and Mrs Bloomer were declared missing, but after days of searching their bodies along with those of tech tycoon Mike Lynch, his 18-year-old daughter Hannah Lynch, Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda have also been recovered.
Speaking about the couple’s deaths, the Bloomer family described them as “incredible people”.
“We are grieving for our loved ones and all of those affected by the tragedy. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the emergency services and everyone who helped tirelessly in this rescue operation,” said the family in a statement released August 22.
“Our parents were incredible people and an inspiration to many, but first and foremost they were focused on and loved their family and spending time with their new grandchildren. Together for five decades, our only comfort is that they are still together now.
“This is an unimaginable grief to shoulder. Our only ask is that our family’s privacy is respected at this time.”
