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Cries for help spark sea search Canoeists sea search stood down
(about 1 hour later)
A massive air and sea search is under way off the west Dorset coast after shouts for help were heard close to the harbour at Lyme Regis. 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.
Witnesses said they had earlier spotted two canoeists - before one returned to shore only to paddle out again after hearing the shouts. 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.
The search has involved two helicopters, three lifeboats and a coastguard rescue team. Three lifeboats, two helicopters and a coastguard rescue team searched overnight but nothing was found.
Nigel Robson, Portland Coastguard watch manager, said: "Although investigations have raised concerns for two canoeists witnessed leaving for a dusk paddle last night, we have no confirmation that they were the origin of the calls for help, or if indeed the calls came from someone who remains in danger. 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.
"Our searches are still ongoing, involving a very large number of resources working in difficult weather, and we will continue with these air, land and sea-based searches until further notice." "Initial concerns that the cries of help were from two local canoeists have been assuaged as they have now been located safe and well.
The search began when the Portland Coastguard was alerted shortly after 2200 BST on Wednesday. "It transpires that although they did go out last night they were safely ashore long before the search commenced.
The Lyme Coastguard Rescue Team, the Lyme inshore lifeboat and the independent inshore lifeboat from Sidmouth have been searching throughout the night. "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.
Nothing has yet been found and the West Bay Coastguard Rescue Team has now taken over from the Lyme team, who searched throughout the night.