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Massive search launched for 2 swimmers ‘in distress’ in water off Plymouth coast with lifeboats & coastguard deployed
Police want to speak to people who have been in the vicinity of a specific buoy in the water
A HUGE search operation was launched for two swimmers "in distress" off the coast of Plymouth.
Cops, lifeguards and coastguard were deployed in the West Hoe area of the coastal town at around 6pm on Monday.
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Inspector Roger Hocking, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said: "We are asking members of the public to contact us if they were in the vicinity of ASH Buoy (a green channel marker buoy) near the Waterside/Wet Wok eateries and saw anything that could assist us in our enquiries.
"We are keen to identify the two swimmers and ensure they are safe and well.
"They could very well have returned to shore and would be unaware of the report made in good faith regarding their welfare.
"We have not received any reports of missing people in the area."
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In an update on the search on Tuesday morning, a police statement added: "There have been no further reports of concern for an individual’s welfare or reports of missing people in the area raised to police.
"Emergency service searches did not locate anyone in distress or signs of concern and searches were stood down later in the evening.
"We take all reports of this nature seriously and work with other emergency response agencies to explore all search opportunities and enquiries."
An HM Coastguard spokesman earlier said: "HM Coastguard has been coordinating the response to reports of swimmers in difficulty in Plymouth Hoe toady (July 1).
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"Alerted just after 6.15pm, Plymouth and Tamar coastguard rescue teams have been sent to the scene, in addition to the HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter, Plymouth All-Weather Lifeboat and Plymouth Inshore Lifeboat."
The search came just weeks after the death of teenager Michael Oppong Yeboah, who went missing after entering the water at East Hoe beach.
The 18-year-old had been reported missing on March 18, before a body was found in the search four miles away at Devonport Dockyard April 10.
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