This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-20886164
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Blackpool search resumes for man swept to sea | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| A search has resumed for a man who was swept into the sea during gale-force winds. | |
| The 41-year-old was reportedly walking his dog with another man in Blackpool when they ended up in the water in the early hours of New Year's Day. | The 41-year-old was reportedly walking his dog with another man in Blackpool when they ended up in the water in the early hours of New Year's Day. |
| The second man managed to raise the alarm but fears are growing for the missing man. | The second man managed to raise the alarm but fears are growing for the missing man. |
| A search was carried out on New Year's Day which was assisted by helicopters from the police and RAF Valley. | A search was carried out on New Year's Day which was assisted by helicopters from the police and RAF Valley. |
| Rescue teams focused on an area of the Irish Sea around Blackpool's south pier and sea wall, and the coastguard said it would continue efforts on Wednesday. | Rescue teams focused on an area of the Irish Sea around Blackpool's south pier and sea wall, and the coastguard said it would continue efforts on Wednesday. |
| Stuart Atkinson, watch manager at Crosby Coastguard station, said: "The area was searched and unfortunately we didn't find the 41-year-old male at that time. | Stuart Atkinson, watch manager at Crosby Coastguard station, said: "The area was searched and unfortunately we didn't find the 41-year-old male at that time. |
| "We do believe a life ring was thrown to him and a football. We have located the football but not the life ring." | "We do believe a life ring was thrown to him and a football. We have located the football but not the life ring." |
| However, he added the conditions, water temperature and length of time in the water made it "highly unlikely" the man could have survived. | However, he added the conditions, water temperature and length of time in the water made it "highly unlikely" the man could have survived. |
| Mr Atkinson said the initial search operation was hampered due to very strong, westerly gale-force winds. | Mr Atkinson said the initial search operation was hampered due to very strong, westerly gale-force winds. |
| He added: "Westerly winds are aimed straight at the sea shore at Blackpool and it made it quite difficult for the lifeboat crews to search." | He added: "Westerly winds are aimed straight at the sea shore at Blackpool and it made it quite difficult for the lifeboat crews to search." |
| A Lancashire Police spokeswoman said: "The man and a friend were walking a dog along steps leading from the Promenade to the sea, close to the Central Pier on South Shore, when a wave washed them into the sea." | A Lancashire Police spokeswoman said: "The man and a friend were walking a dog along steps leading from the Promenade to the sea, close to the Central Pier on South Shore, when a wave washed them into the sea." |