A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD girl almost drowned while swimming in the sea off Walton beach.

It is understood she was pulled from the sea by her father.

Walton Coastguard arrived on the scene at 3.07pm on Saturday.

A spokesman for Thames Coastguard said: “We were informed after she was out of the water.

“She was initially unconscious when she was pulled from the water.

“The coastguard team provided first aid and oxygen.

“She was conscious by the time ambulance crews arrived.”

The air ambulance was also called to the scene, but the girl was taken by ambulance to Colchester General Hospital for treatment.