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Search for missing woman in river | Search for missing woman in river |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Rescue teams are searching for a 21-year-old woman who was swept along the River Usk in Brecon, Powys. | |
Police, a helicopter crew, Mid and West Fire and Rescue and the Brecon Mountain Rescue teams were called in at around 1900 GMT on Saturday. | |
The local woman was reported missing at Watergate bridge in Brecon and the search is continuing. | |
Mid and West Fire and Rescue service are using two rescue boats, a rescue dog and patrol team in the search. | |
'Very serious search' | 'Very serious search' |
Inspector Alun Samuel, of Dyfed-Powys Police, said: "We are running a full search of the river in Brecon. | Inspector Alun Samuel, of Dyfed-Powys Police, said: "We are running a full search of the river in Brecon. |
"A member of the public called the police when they saw what happened. | "A member of the public called the police when they saw what happened. |
The conditions of the river bank are very slippery and muddy - the last thing we would want is for someone else to end up in the river Inspector Mark Davies | |
"It is a very serious search with dog handlers, specialist units and there have been helicopters." | "It is a very serious search with dog handlers, specialist units and there have been helicopters." |
"The search had to be called off last night due to the weather and the darkness and it being mobilised to start again now." | "The search had to be called off last night due to the weather and the darkness and it being mobilised to start again now." |
Police say they are still trying find out how she got into water and are talking to a male witness. | |
Inspector Mark Davies said the Dyfed-Powys force helicopter left its Carmarthen base at 1030 GMT on Sunday to rejoin the search, which is concentrating on the river banks within a mile of where the woman disappeared. | |
Insp Davies said: "Unfortunately we have a local female who has ended up in the river. We're still trying to investigate the full circumstances of why she ended up in the river. | |
"Unfortunately, due to the weather conditions, the search was suspended overnight. It recommenced at 9am this morning." | |
He urged members of the public to stay away from the river. | |
"The conditions of the river bank are very slippery and muddy," he said. | |
"The last thing we would want is for someone else to end up in the river. That could make the situation even more difficult." | |
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue said they have sent patrol units, two pumping appliances and two rescue boats. | Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue said they have sent patrol units, two pumping appliances and two rescue boats. |
The river was too swollen for the boats to be used initially. | |
An Environment Agency Wales spokesman said: "River levels in the Brecon area dropped overnight but due to further rain in the early hours of this morning they have risen again. | |
"With more rain due, the levels are not expected to drop again before lunchtime. | |
"A flood watch is currently in place on the River Usk and we are continuing to monitor the situation." | |
There are flood watches on 18 river areas in Wales, including the Usk in Powys. | There are flood watches on 18 river areas in Wales, including the Usk in Powys. |
There are also two flood warnings still in north Wales, at Bangor-on-Dee and the lower Dee valley between Llangollen and Chester. | There are also two flood warnings still in north Wales, at Bangor-on-Dee and the lower Dee valley between Llangollen and Chester. |