Sea Search Called Off For Missing Man

Coastguards have called off the search for a man who was last seen in the sea near Durdle Door in Dorset.

Portland Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre received 999 calls from members of the public at just after 4.00pm on Wednesday 23rd October, reporting a man in the sea near Durdle Door.

The callers reported seeing three people in the water, one of whom was in difficulty. The two RNLI lifeboats based at Weymouth were sent to the scene with the police helicopter and the Wyke and Lulworth Coastguard Rescue Teams. They were joined by a Royal Navy helicopter, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, South West Ambulance and Dorset Police. 

The Coastguard Rescue helicopter based at Portland, who was on another mission when the call came in, later joined the search. 

Whilst the rescue units were on their way, a report was received that two other people on the beach went out to help the struggling swimmer. 

Unfortunately they were unable to recover the swimmer from the water on Wednesday.

Sadly, the person still hasn't been found despite a detailed search of the area. 

Portland Coastguard Watch Manager Ros Evans said: 

"Everyone involved did everything they could to rescue this person but unfortunately this is increasingly looking like a tragic accident."