The search for a diver reported as missing off the coast of Dorset, UK, has been called off, according to HM Coastguard, who were leading the search.
The male diver was reported missing at around 14:50 BST on Saturday, 25 May, close to the area known as Dorset’s ‘Jurassic Coast’, famous for its many dinosaur fossil finds.
The RNLI confirmed that lifeboats from nearby Weymouth and Swanage were launched to carry out the search, accompanied by two Coastguard helicopters and a fixed-wing aircraft. The search was called off shortly before midnight on Sunday, 26, although the coastguard continued to broadcast emergency alerts to vessels in the vicinity of the missing diver.
‘HM Coastguard coordinated the search for a missing diver in the Dorset area,’ said a spokesperson for HM Coastguard in a statement. ‘Alerted at around 1:50 pm Saturday, May 25, two Coastguard helicopters, a fixed-wing aircraft, Weymouth and Swanage RNLI lifeboats and Wyke Coastguard Rescue Team were on scene.
‘The search was suspended just before midnight. Broadcast action to vessels in the area continued throughout the night and on Sunday morning, but the search and assets have now been stood down.” One person who witnessed the search. The helicopters were scouring the area and the two lifeboats crisscrossing the water.
‘It is terrible when something like this happens. But you always hold out hope. I am just thinking of his family right now.’
Very few details regarding the incident have been made available to the public, however, Dorset Police said that it has launched an investigation.
