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Man held for suspected ferry leap | Man held for suspected ferry leap |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A massive search took place off the Dorset coast after a man said he had jumped from a cross-Channel ferry as it approached Poole Harbour. | A massive search took place off the Dorset coast after a man said he had jumped from a cross-Channel ferry as it approached Poole Harbour. |
The man said he had leapt from the Barfleur along with others in stormy conditions en route from Cherbourg. | The man said he had leapt from the Barfleur along with others in stormy conditions en route from Cherbourg. |
He was held on suspicion of illegal immigration after being found nearby at the Sandbanks-Studland chain ferry. | He was held on suspicion of illegal immigration after being found nearby at the Sandbanks-Studland chain ferry. |
Police have since said he is a 40-year-old Spanish man and they do not believe he or anyone else went overboard. | |
Coastguards initially believed two men and two women were in the water on Tuesday night but the search was called off at 0500 GMT on Wednesday. | Coastguards initially believed two men and two women were in the water on Tuesday night but the search was called off at 0500 GMT on Wednesday. |
'Conflicting accounts' | 'Conflicting accounts' |
Dorset Police said there was no evidence to suggest anyone else was missing. | Dorset Police said there was no evidence to suggest anyone else was missing. |
They said the man was due to be bailed, while officers continued to investigate an alleged offence of wasting police time. | |
Officers found the man at the chain ferry wearing a wetsuit under soaked clothing just after 2300 GMT on Tuesday. | Officers found the man at the chain ferry wearing a wetsuit under soaked clothing just after 2300 GMT on Tuesday. |
The search began soon after. | The search began soon after. |
"The man has given officers various conflicting accounts," a police spokesman said. | "The man has given officers various conflicting accounts," a police spokesman said. |
The UK Border Agency said it was "satisfied that no further action is required by the border agency because he is a European national (Spanish)". | The UK Border Agency said it was "satisfied that no further action is required by the border agency because he is a European national (Spanish)". |
"Following our inquiries, we do not believe that the man jumped from a ferry or that anyone else is involved in this incident." | "Following our inquiries, we do not believe that the man jumped from a ferry or that anyone else is involved in this incident." |
The suspect was taken to Poole Hospital for treatment but was later discharged. | The suspect was taken to Poole Hospital for treatment but was later discharged. |
He was indicating he was with three other people so the lifeboats were launched Anne-Marie Clark, RNLI | He was indicating he was with three other people so the lifeboats were launched Anne-Marie Clark, RNLI |
Earlier, Brittany Ferries said the name the man had given police did not match anyone on their passenger lists. | Earlier, Brittany Ferries said the name the man had given police did not match anyone on their passenger lists. |
Spokesman Stephen Tuckwell said if the man had jumped from the ferry he must have been a stowaway, adding no-one had seen him go overboard. | Spokesman Stephen Tuckwell said if the man had jumped from the ferry he must have been a stowaway, adding no-one had seen him go overboard. |
"Certainly, he never checked in with us," Mr Tuckwell said. | "Certainly, he never checked in with us," Mr Tuckwell said. |
"We have no evidence that he jumped off our ship." | "We have no evidence that he jumped off our ship." |
Search and rescue crews, including a coastguard helicopter, battled stormy weather conditions for several hours searching the area. | Search and rescue crews, including a coastguard helicopter, battled stormy weather conditions for several hours searching the area. |
Anne-Marie Clark, of the RNLI, said: "He didn't speak English. He was indicating he was with three other people so the lifeboats were launched." | Anne-Marie Clark, of the RNLI, said: "He didn't speak English. He was indicating he was with three other people so the lifeboats were launched." |
A Portland Coastguard spokeswoman said: "We have had gale force winds and rain, so we have had a really tough search." | A Portland Coastguard spokeswoman said: "We have had gale force winds and rain, so we have had a really tough search." |
She said the man had been found "cold and wet" and added: "The search was terminated with further information." | She said the man had been found "cold and wet" and added: "The search was terminated with further information." |