LIFEBOATS, the coastguard helicopter and rescue teams all searched for a vulnerable man near Portland Bill.

The Wyke Regis coastguard rescue team, both Weymouth lifeboats and the Portland coastguard helicopter were all involved in the search with Dorset Police for the man on Sunday night in the Portland Bill area. The man's car was found in the car park at the Bill.

With the light fading and in thick fog the teams had a race against time to search the main areas.

They were stood down at 10.30pm.

Dorset Police said on Tuesday morrning that active searches at Portland had now concluded but that enquiries were still ongoing.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "At 4.37pm on Sunday, June 26, Dorset Police received a report of a missing 40-year-old man from Poole.

"His car was found at Portland Bill and a search was conducted in the area. He was not located and enquiries are ongoing."

Video by: Robert Archy Hardy

A spokesman for the Wyke Regis Coastguard team said: “The full team paged at 8.07pm and asked to assemble at their base for briefing. The team were subsequently tasked to back up our flank team Portland Bill team. Dorset Police had asked for coastguard assistance in looking for a vulnerable male in the Portland Bill area. Both Weymouth lifeboats were also tasked to the search, along with Portland helicopter rescue 106.

“After assembling at the Portland Bill lighthouse carpark, the teams were divided into search groups and asked to conduct a thorough search of the area. Weymoutlifeboats, and Rescue 106 conducted thorough shoreline searches whilst both Portland and Wyke teams proceeded with their land based searches.”

He added: “With failing light, and increasingly poor visibility due to the weather conditions, all teams pressed ahead to make the most of what daylight was available. Rescue 106 continued their search until both primary and secondary search areas where completed.

“Due to the worsening weather they were asked to search towards their base and stand down.

“After an extensive search all teams reported back to Dorset Police with their findings. Shortly before 10.30pm all teams were asked to stand down and assemble for debrief.”

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said they had not been requested by the police to search further today. Dorset Police said that enquiries were ongoing.

Pictures: Wyke Regis CRT

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