Coastguard coordinate search for person swept out to sea from Loe Bar
Search for person swept out to sea from Loe Bar.
Coastguards will resume the search at first light this morning (1 January 2014) for a person who went missing last night after being swept out to sea from Loe Bar, near Porthleven.
The person had gone out walking with a group of friends who had decided to make for Loe Bar. The group went for a paddle in the rough seas and when some of them were up to their knees a large wave swept the person off their feet.
One of the group called 999 and spoke to Falmouth Coastguard who immediately requested the following to begin a search:
- Coastguard Rescue Teams from Penzance, Porthleven, Mullion and Porthoustock
- RNLI all weather lifeboats from Penlee and Lizard
- rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose
The coastguard rescue teams, lifeboats and helicopter searched for some hours in atrocious weather conditions but sadly were unable to find any sign of the missing person. By 4.30 am they had covered the search area many times over but had been unable to locate a person in the water. The search was therefore suspended until first light when the coastguard teams would begin another search.
Phil Mathias, Falmouth Coastguard Watch Manager says:
The weather for searching tonight has been particularly challenging and as the night has gone on, conditions have deteriorated. There have been south to south westerly gale force to severe gale force winds with very rough sea and rain.
The teams have conducted a very intensive search for the missing person. We have been able to focus our efforts into a relatively tight area because of onshore winds but have still been unable to locate the missing person.
We will resume our search with coastguard teams at first light today (1 January 2014).
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