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Search for two missing swimmers Hopes fade for missing swimmers
(about 5 hours later)
An RAF helicopter and lifeboats joined a rescue operation for two swimmers who were reported missing near Weston-super-Mare on Tuesday evening. Rescuers looking for two swimmers reported missing near Weston-super-Mare on Tuesday evening have said hopes of finding them alive are fading.
The men, aged 33 and 35 and from the town, were seen struggling in the water after the tide turned near the North Somerset coast.The men, aged 33 and 35 and from the town, were seen struggling in the water after the tide turned near the North Somerset coast.
A spokesman for the coastguard said the men entered the water while their girlfriends remained on the beach. Tristam Newey, from Swansea Coastguard, said the men had been quickly swept away by strong currents.
The search for the pair was resumed at first light on Wednesday.The search for the pair was resumed at first light on Wednesday.
"The temptation was there to go swimming in the sea, " Mr Newey said.
Several 999 calls were made to emergency services
"However the sea itself is very cold. It's no more than 14C - if that.
"And that is an issue in itself because it saps your strength very quickly.
"In terms of their survivability, obviously now a long time has elapsed.
"I think we are more looking at a recovery operation, rather than a rescue now."