ALB Lester joins search for missing person after pager sounds for third time

Updated! 

As the search progressed for the missing person the ALB was paged at 18:33 and launched to assist covering more ground slightly further off shore. The daughter boat Y-207 was also launched from the Tamar to cover an area closer to shore than the inshore lifeboat.

By this time the RNLI lifeguards had also been requested to assist and were using their boards and swimmers to look closer around the pier legs and groynes. Also, the remaining lifeboat crew left ashore donned their dry suits and life jackets to walk in the shallower water from the pier along the east beach and beyond.

By 18:45 Rescue helicopter 125 had arrived on scene from RAF Wattisham, Sheringham lifeboat and Mundesley lifeboat. Local Coastguard rescue team members were also on scene walking along the waters edge both sides of the pier and liaising with the Police and Ambulance units in attendance.

Anxious family members waited at the inshore boathouse for any news being looked after by Richard Annis and Ellie Walker.

As the extensive search continued and with fading light it was eventually decided that no more could be done and all vessels were stood down. RNLB Lester returned to the pier boathouse and was washed down refuelled and ready for service by 22:30

A further search is planned at first light by the Coastguards.

UPDATE: 31/07/08 08:00

At approximately 00:15 today as Coastguards finalised their search of the beach at low tide a body was found and recovered, the family have been informed.

Crew on Board

J. Davies (Coxswain)

P. Watling (Mechanic)

A. Barker (Y_Boat  Helm)

I. Chambers (Y-Boat crew)

G. Nichols

K. Forden

ALB Recovery

G. Stallard (Head Launcher)

 T.Brown (Winch)

P. Stokes

P. Russell

R. Annis 

R. Leeds

P. Stibbons 

Shore Crew Searching

R. Jackson

J. King

W. Amey

C. Gill 

N. Lowe

M. Jordan 

I. van Battum

C. Begley

R. Cadman

G. Stallard

P. Stokes

A. Lincoln