Burnham-On-Sea Coastguards and crews from BARB Search & Rescue were called out early today (Monday) to search for a missing vulnerable person.
Crews were initially called out by Police at 1.30am, and then again at 7.30am, in the search for the man, who had gone missing in the centre of Brean.
“It was an early start for the teams today when we were tasked to assist Avon and Somerset Constabulary search for a man who had gone missing while out in Brean and was deemed to be vulnerable,” said a Coastguard spokesman.
After receiving information from the Police regarding the man’s last-known position and personal information, crews launched a search of the beach, dunes, footpaths and holiday parks around The Seagull Inn.
“Everything in a search is carried out quickly but in a very methodical way,” added the spokesman. “This ensures we cover vital ground thoroughly with a high probability of detection.”
“While an immediate search was being carried out, two of the Coastguard team kitted up in mud suits and boarded the BARB hovercraft for a search along the beach from Berrow Beach to Brean Down, taking in the tide line and higher up the beach.”
“The other members of the team paired up with BARB members and carried out a foot search along pathways and in the sand dunes heading north and south along the beach while the Police helicopter carried out an aerial search, and the Police units searched the roadsides and caravan parks.”
“After around four hours we were asked to stand down until morning light when we would be retasked for a second sweep of the search area.”
The Coastguard and BARB teams were called out again at 7.26am to reports of the person being discovered by a walker in distress and having entered the water.
The man was found on the beach and, after assessing him, they took him to Weston Hospital.
Pictured: The scenes in Brean today during the search for the vulnerable man (photos: Burnham Coastguards / BARB)
