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Blackpool search resumes for Barrow man swept to sea Blackpool search called off for Barrow man swept to sea
(about 2 hours later)
A search has resumed for a man swept into the sea during gale-force winds. The search for a man swept into the sea during gale-force winds has been called off, the coastguard has confirmed.
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 who had moved to Blackpool from Barrow in Cumbria. The second man raised the alarm for the missing man, who had moved to Blackpool from Barrow in Cumbria.
A search was carried out on New Year's Day which was assisted by helicopters from the police and RAF Valley. The coastguard said the man's body had not been found after a search along the shore at low tide.
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. A spokesman said: "We have covered every possible angle and it's now in the hands of the police."
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. Piers searched
"We do believe a life ring was thrown to him and a football. We have located the football but not the life ring." The BBC understands Prince William was the pilot of an RAF Sea King helicopter involved in the search on New Year's Day.
However, he added the conditions, water temperature and length of time in the water made it "highly unlikely" the man could have survived. The rescue helicopter from RAF Valley in Anglesey provided lighting assistance for the search teams.
Mr Atkinson said the initial search operation was hampered due to very strong, westerly gale-force winds. Rescue teams focused on an area of the Irish Sea around Blackpool's south pier and sea wall and earlier searched under the piers.
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." Stuart Atkinson, watch manager at Crosby Coastguard station, had previously said the conditions, water temperature and length of time in the water made it "highly unlikely" the man could have survived.
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."