UPDATE: Body found in Weymouth harbour in search for missing man

It came after police divers were called in this morning to help in the search for a man seen to enter the water near the harbour junction, Westwey Road, on Tuesday afternoon.

In a statement released this afternoon a police spokesman said: "Dorset Police has recovered a body from the water in Weymouth harbour following a search operation.

"Police were alerted at 2.18pm yesterday, Tuesday 2 May 2017, to a report of a concern for welfare relating to a man seen in the harbour.

"A body has been recovered today, Wednesday 3 May 2017, which is believed to be that of a man aged in his 20s.

"There are no suspicious circumstances. Next of kin have been informed and the coroner notified."

Police continued to search the harbour and marina areas of the town into the early morning today. The search involved a “co-ordinated search with a dive team and other specialist resources.”

Speaking this morning officers said the man was classed as a “high-risk missing person.”

Dorset police asked any witnesses who had seen the man enter the water to contact them on 101.

Emergency services launched the huge hunt yesterday afternoon after a man was spotted in the water at Weymouth Harbour.

Dorset Police, Coastguard rescue officers, Weymouth lifeboat and the Coastguard Helicopter from Portland were all on the scene. The helicopter was seen hovering over the marina and harbour area and eyewitnesses saw coastguard officers also searching the marina area of the town.

A spokesman for Dorset police said yesterday: “Police were alerted at 2.18pm today to a report of a concern for welfare for a man in the water at Weymouth Harbour. Emergency services including the coastguard helicopter are currently at the scene searching for the man.”

A spokesman for Wyke Regis Coastguard Rescue Team said they were called at 2.35pm by the police to assist in the search. He said: “A male had been seen to enter the water near to the Asda junction, Weymouth. Concerns for welfare had been raised by passers by, as the male had not been seen to exit the water.

“The team made their way to the scene, to liaise with Dorset Police, and gather further information on the man’s last known location.”

He added that the Wyke team requested support from the Portland Bill team and that the Portland coastguard helicopter was also sent to carry out a “high level sweeping search of the entire scene from Asda to the harbour entrance.”

The coastguard spokesman added: “The teams concentrated on searching the last known position of the man, fanning out to cover every pontoon and berth. After a comprehensive search, all teams were asked to refocus on the initial point the casualty was seen to enter the water.

“The teams then retraced their steps, covering every berth, and checking yachts and vessels for signs of recent occupancy.

“After over four hours of continuous searching, with no signs of the man, all teams were stood down and asked to remain available should further assistance be required.”

A spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency added: "The initial reports were that a man was swimming in the harbour at Weymouth. At this moment the search is ongoing.

"Wyke Regis and Portland Bill Coastguards are assisting the police, along with Weymouth lifeboat and the Coastguard Helicopter."

The emergency services used multiple search techniques in order to locate the man, including using an underwater camera from about 5:30pm yesterday.

Officers searched in the harbour waters, as well as under and around the pontoons and around the shored boats.

In a statement released yesterday evening, a police spokesman said: "A search operation has been launched following reports of a man seen in the water at Weymouth harbour."

Chief Inspector Steve White, of Dorset Police, said: “We are currently carrying out a major search operation in a bid to locate the man and understand what has happened.

“We would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding regarding any disruption caused while emergency services carry out their work.”

Many onlookers at the scene expressed upset and surprise at what had happened.

Josh Turner, 22, from Wyke Regis, said: “I’m shocked to be honest. You don’t expect that, do you, in a seaside town.”

Andy Joiner, 68, from Kelloway Terrace, said: “I saw the helicopter up earlier and wondered what it was about. It is pretty horrific really, isn’t it?”

Other members of the public seemed concerned by how easy it was to get into the water from the pavement.

Katy Hawdon, 28, from Cobham Drive, who was there with her husband and kids, said: “It’s a bit worrying when you have children, in terms of them falling in.”

Pictures by Finnbarr Webster