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Missing swimmers names released | Missing swimmers names released |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Two swimmers who went missing off the Somerset coastline have been named as Dave Ellams and Lee Tompkins. | Two swimmers who went missing off the Somerset coastline have been named as Dave Ellams and Lee Tompkins. |
The pair, who are both in their 30s, were seen struggling with the tide off Weston-super-Mare on Tuesday evening. | The pair, who are both in their 30s, were seen struggling with the tide off Weston-super-Mare on Tuesday evening. |
A major air sea rescue effort was launched, which has carried on throughout Wednesday, but hopes of finding the two are fading. | A major air sea rescue effort was launched, which has carried on throughout Wednesday, but hopes of finding the two are fading. |
A coastguard spokesman said strong currents had swept the men, who both live in Weston, along the coast. | A coastguard spokesman said strong currents had swept the men, who both live in Weston, along the coast. |
Tristam Newey, from Swansea Coastguard, said: "The temptation was there to go swimming in the sea. | Tristam Newey, from Swansea Coastguard, said: "The temptation was there to go swimming in the sea. |
"However the sea itself is very cold. It's no more than 14C - if that. | "However the sea itself is very cold. It's no more than 14C - if that. |
"And that is an issue in itself because it saps your strength very quickly. | "And that is an issue in itself because it saps your strength very quickly. |
"In terms of their survivability, obviously now a long time has elapsed. | "In terms of their survivability, obviously now a long time has elapsed. |
"I think we are more looking at a recovery operation, rather than a rescue now." | "I think we are more looking at a recovery operation, rather than a rescue now." |
Dave Ellams' girlfriend, Aimee Crisp: "You don't expect these things to happen, I still feel numb" | |