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Arron Hough: Missing British cruise worker search suspended | Arron Hough: Missing British cruise worker search suspended |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The US Coast Guard has suspended its search for a British cruise ship entertainer believed to have gone overboard on Christmas Day. | The US Coast Guard has suspended its search for a British cruise ship entertainer believed to have gone overboard on Christmas Day. |
Arron Hough, 20, went missing from the Harmony of the Seas when it was 267 miles north-west of Puerto Rico. | Arron Hough, 20, went missing from the Harmony of the Seas when it was 267 miles north-west of Puerto Rico. |
The alarm was raised when Mr Hough, from Sunderland, failed to report for work on Tuesday. | The alarm was raised when Mr Hough, from Sunderland, failed to report for work on Tuesday. |
The coast guard halted the search after two days, describing it as a "difficult decision". | The coast guard halted the search after two days, describing it as a "difficult decision". |
Royal Caribbean, which operates the ship, said the last CCTV footage of Mr Hough showed him heading on to the ship's deck at about 04:00 local time. | Royal Caribbean, which operates the ship, said the last CCTV footage of Mr Hough showed him heading on to the ship's deck at about 04:00 local time. |
When staff realised he was missing later that day, the US Coast Guard was alerted. | When staff realised he was missing later that day, the US Coast Guard was alerted. |
Three aircraft and a ship covered more than 3,700 sq miles looking for Mr Hough before the search was called off, the coast guard said. | Three aircraft and a ship covered more than 3,700 sq miles looking for Mr Hough before the search was called off, the coast guard said. |
A spokesman for the US Coastguard, Jonathan Lally, said when Mr Hough is believed to have entered the sea, the water was relatively warm and visibility for a search was good. | |
He said: "From the time we got the initial report the sea temperature was 81F (27C) and the air temperature was was 71F (21C). | |
"We also had 10 miles of visibility which is pretty clear. We factor in a lot of things such as sea temperature and wave height." | |
He added: "There are cases when a person has survived for days in the water." | |
'Painful time' | |
Mr Lally said suspending a search was "one of the most difficult decisions we have to make as first responders, and it is never made lightly". | |
He added: "Anytime we go out on a search and rescue there is always that hope that we are going to bring someone back and reunite them with friends and family. | |
"We've been in contact with members of Mr Hough's family throughout our search efforts and know this is a very difficult and painful time for them. | |
Mr Hough attended London drama school Urdang Academy, which posted a message on Twitter on Wednesday saying it was "praying" for the entertainer and his family. | Mr Hough attended London drama school Urdang Academy, which posted a message on Twitter on Wednesday saying it was "praying" for the entertainer and his family. |
His talent agency, Russell Smith Associates, tweeted in July that Mr Hough would be joining the cast of Grease The Musical. | His talent agency, Russell Smith Associates, tweeted in July that Mr Hough would be joining the cast of Grease The Musical. |
Harmony Of The Seas is on a seven-night tour that left Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on 23 December, calling at St Maarten, San Juan, Puerto Rico and Haiti. | Harmony Of The Seas is on a seven-night tour that left Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on 23 December, calling at St Maarten, San Juan, Puerto Rico and Haiti. |