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Canoeists sea search stood down | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A massive air and sea search launched off the Dorset coast after shouts for help were heard close to the harbour at Lyme Regis has been stood down. | |
Passers-by reported hearing the cries and alerted the coastguard. | Passers-by reported hearing the cries and alerted the coastguard. |
The search was called off after two canoeists, who had been seen by witnesses setting off at dusk, came forward after hearing about the search. | |
Three lifeboats, two helicopters and a coastguard rescue team searched overnight but nothing was found. | |
Ros Evans, Portland Coastguard watch manager, said: "We have now terminated a search prompted after cries of help were heard at The Cobb as we are confident that there is no-one in danger and our search area has been entirely covered. | |
"Initial concerns that the cries of help were from two local canoeists have been assuaged as they have now been located safe and well. | |
"It transpires that although they did go out last night they were safely ashore long before the search commenced. | |
"Portland Coastguard requests that if you are taking a night time trip out onto the water you inform us of your intentions and then confirm when you have safely returned. | |
"These particular canoeists did actually act very responsibly when they heard of the search by coming forward." | |
The search began when the Portland Coastguard was alerted shortly after 2200 BST on Wednesday and was terminated at 0800 BST. | |
The Lyme Coastguard Rescue Team, the Lyme inshore lifeboat and the independent inshore lifeboat from Sidmouth searched throughout the night. | |
As concern stepped up, the coastguard rescue helicopter from Lee-on-Solent, the all-weather lifeboat from Weymouth and an RAF helicopter from Chivenor joined in the search. | As concern stepped up, the coastguard rescue helicopter from Lee-on-Solent, the all-weather lifeboat from Weymouth and an RAF helicopter from Chivenor joined in the search. |