The body of a man – believed to be missing Burnham-On-Sea person Dean Tate – was found on Stert Island on Saturday.
Burnham Coastguards and BARB crews were initially called out by Police after a fisherman reported spotting the body on the shoreline of the remote south western side of the island, facing Hinkley Point.
A Police spokesman told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “At 12.20pm we were called by a member of the public who’d found a body on Stert Island – off Bunrham-On-Sea.”
“We’ve since recovered the body with the help of Her Majesty’s Coastguard and BARB Search & Rescue. While it is too early for any formal identification, we believe it to be missing man Dean Tate.”
Detective Inspector Richard Horsfall said: “We’ve informed Dean’s partner and family of the discovery and are providing them with support.”
“This is not the outcome anyone wanted and our thoughts are with them during what is clearly a difficult time.”
Pictured: BARB’s hovercraft flew Police and Coastguards to Stert Island
“The search for Dean lasted several weeks and I’d like to personally thank our partners and the communities of Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge for their assistance during this time.”
“While the community spirit shown has been warmly welcomed, I’d now ask Dean’s loved ones are given the privacy they need.”
BARB’s Spirit of Lelaina 2 hovercraft was launched from Burnham-On-Sea beach with Coastguards onboard, followed shortly afterwards by BARB’s Light Of Elizabeth with Police investigators onboard – as pictured above.
Pictured: The muddy Police investigations team returning with their kit
The sad discovery of a body comes after a eight-week long search for missing Dean.
Dean, 40, was last seen at TA8s bar in Pier Street, Burnham-On-Sea at 2am on Saturday, February 24th after earlier visiting the nearby Somerset and Dorset pub.
Signals from his mobile phone were last picked up at around 3am on February 24th and he had not been seen since, which his family said was out of character. Dean’s partner made an emotional TV plea for help earlier this month.
Pictured: Burnham and Weston Coastguards on the beach on Saturday
