Major search and rescue underway after two swimmers go missing
A major search was underway last night after eyewitnesses claimed to have seen two swimmers enter the water off the Plymouth coast but never resurface.
Lifeguards, coastguards and police officers scrambled to the scene in the Plymouth Hoe area over fears the swimmers may have got into distress.
Lifeguards, coastguards and police officers scrambled to the scene in the Plymouth Hoe area over fears the swimmers may have got into distress.
A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: 'Police, Coastguard and RNLI resources are currently deployed in the vicinity of West Hoe, Plymouth following the report of two swimmers who may have got into distress in the area.
'Witnesses report seeing two swimmers in the vicinity of ASH buoy, a green channel marker buoy near the Wet Wok / Waterside Public House approx. 6pm.
Lifeguards, coastguards and police officers scrambled to the scene in the Plymouth Hoe area over fears the swimmers may have got into distress
Lifeboat teams were searching the area from 6pm on Monday evening, with a helicopter also involved in the ongoing search. Pictured: A file photo of Plymouth Hoe
'Police are keen to establish who they are and to check that they are safe and well. If you are able to provide any information please call 101 quoting Police log DCP-20240701-0699.'
The spokesperson added that the swimmers disappeared from long range view and that they currently do not have any reports of missing people in the area.
A HM Coastguard spokesperson added: 'HM Coastguard has been coordinating the response to reports of swimmers in difficulty in Plymouth Hoe toady (1 July).
'Alerted just after 6.15pm, Plymouth and Tamar coastguard rescue teams have been sent to the scene, in addition to the HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter, Plymouth All-Weather Lifeboat and Plymouth Inshore Lifeboat.'
The frantic search in Plymouth comes a day after a search was called off on Crosby beach near Liverpool after a 14-year-old disappeared while swimming with friends in the River Mersey.
A coastguard helicopter flies over Crosby Beach while the search for a missing 14-year-old boy took place
Emergency services were pictured in attendance on Crosby Beach this morning. The search was called off yesterday at 10am
The 14 year old had been swimming near the Seaforth Radar Tower near Crosby Beach yesterday
The boy had been swimming in the tidal river with friends but they became separated and he disappeared as the others exited the water at around 7pm last night.
The tragedy occurred on Crosby beach near Liverpool within site of the famous 'Iron Men' statues created by sculptor Sir Anthony Gormley.
Coastguards confirmed at lunchtime that the search had been called off after 15 hours, just after the boy's family visited the spot where he went missing.
Locals say the area is highly dangerous for swimmers and even walkers and their pets who can get bogged down in coastal mud.
Since the boy went missing a massive search and rescue operation took place between the beach and marine lake. A coastguard helicopter was spotted in the air last night searching the water.
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