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Search for teen last seen in sea off Whitmore Bay, Barry Island | Search for teen last seen in sea off Whitmore Bay, Barry Island |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A major air and sea search is resuming for a missing 14-year-old girl, last seen in difficulty in the sea at a south Wales resort. | |
The girl, on holiday with her family, was reported missing in Barry Island just after 15:45 BST on Sunday. | The girl, on holiday with her family, was reported missing in Barry Island just after 15:45 BST on Sunday. |
Coastguards say there has been an "extensive search" off Whitmore Bay. | Coastguards say there has been an "extensive search" off Whitmore Bay. |
Swansea Coastguard says a "low water search" will be carried out from 12:00 BST in rock pools that form when the tide is out. | |
Meanwhile South Wales Police say they are carrying out house-to-house inquiries in the Barry area. | Meanwhile South Wales Police say they are carrying out house-to-house inquiries in the Barry area. |
Barry coastguard team, the Barry Dock all-weather lifeboat, two inshore lifeboats from Penarth, police, lifeguards and a coastguard helicopter from Portland were involved in the land and sea search. | Barry coastguard team, the Barry Dock all-weather lifeboat, two inshore lifeboats from Penarth, police, lifeguards and a coastguard helicopter from Portland were involved in the land and sea search. |
Coastguards believe the girl could have been in difficulty in the water for up to an hour before the situation was reported to them. | Coastguards believe the girl could have been in difficulty in the water for up to an hour before the situation was reported to them. |
David Hughes, watch manager at Swansea Coastguard, told BBC Radio Wales on Monday that he was surprised that although Whitmore Bay was likely to have been "jam-packed" with people "we only had one call reporting this female in difficulties which I find very very hard to believe". | David Hughes, watch manager at Swansea Coastguard, told BBC Radio Wales on Monday that he was surprised that although Whitmore Bay was likely to have been "jam-packed" with people "we only had one call reporting this female in difficulties which I find very very hard to believe". |
"On a normal day, busy day, we would have expected to be inundated with 999 calls but only the one call put through unfortunately." | "On a normal day, busy day, we would have expected to be inundated with 999 calls but only the one call put through unfortunately." |
Mr Hughes also said the nature of the rescue effort had also changed. | Mr Hughes also said the nature of the rescue effort had also changed. |
"The conditions yesterday would have been favourable. The sea temperature had picked up dramatically over the last month or so because of the weather, change in temperature but obviously we have to look at survivability." | "The conditions yesterday would have been favourable. The sea temperature had picked up dramatically over the last month or so because of the weather, change in temperature but obviously we have to look at survivability." |
Local councillor Steffan Wiliam, who lives on Barry Island, said he was "very concerned" to hear the news. | Local councillor Steffan Wiliam, who lives on Barry Island, said he was "very concerned" to hear the news. |
"Our stretch of coast has the world's second highest tidal range, second only to the Bay of Fundy [in Canada]," he said. | "Our stretch of coast has the world's second highest tidal range, second only to the Bay of Fundy [in Canada]," he said. |
"The main issue is that Whitmore Bay is a pocket shape. You have to be careful but it is generally very safe, particularly now we have lifeguards. | "The main issue is that Whitmore Bay is a pocket shape. You have to be careful but it is generally very safe, particularly now we have lifeguards. |
"If you swim between the two strips of flags you should be fine. You always have to be sensible on the beaches here." | "If you swim between the two strips of flags you should be fine. You always have to be sensible on the beaches here." |
Vale of Glamorgan MP Alun Cairns said: "The RNLI operation is exceptionally efficient at Barry. | Vale of Glamorgan MP Alun Cairns said: "The RNLI operation is exceptionally efficient at Barry. |
"It has all of the latest equipment with significant investment there in recent years from the search equipment to the skills and experience of the operators." | "It has all of the latest equipment with significant investment there in recent years from the search equipment to the skills and experience of the operators." |
The missing girl is described as 5ft 7ins (1.7m) tall, of average build with long black hair. | The missing girl is described as 5ft 7ins (1.7m) tall, of average build with long black hair. |
She was last seen wearing a multi-coloured dress. | She was last seen wearing a multi-coloured dress. |
South Wales Police said anyone with information should contact 101. | South Wales Police said anyone with information should contact 101. |