Christchurch: Investigation Into Missing Man Ended

3 January 2014, 13:24

Dorset Police say they are no longer investigating reports of a man falling into the River Stour at Christchurch on New Year's Day.

Police, along with units from Dorset Fire and Rescue Service and their specialist wading team, conducted a second riverbank search from Iford Bridge to Tuckton Bridge, include an overhead search by the police helicopter, on Thursday (2 January).

Nothing was found and the search was stopped on Thrusday afternoon.

A Dorset Police spokesperson says as they have no reports of a missing person, there is therefore no longer an ongoing live investigation into the reports.

Dorset Police first received a call from Portland Coastguard on Wednesday 1 January 2014, stating a major search was underway after a member of the public reported seeing a man fall into the River Stour near Iford Bridge.

The search began at 7pm and involved the Southbourne Coastguard Rescue Team, the Portland Coastguard Rescue helicopter with its forward looking infrared (FLIR) camera, the Mudeford RNLI inshore lifeboat, the Wick ferry, Dorset Police and Dorset Fire and Rescue Service. Nothing was found.