Missing Person Found

A SIX-hour manhunt was undertaken after a man was spotted undressing before walking towards the water at Old Leigh.

 Southend RNLI volunteers were contacted on Wednesday, July 24 after reports of a person entering the water at high tide at approximately 4.45pm.

 According to reports, he undressed, leaving belongings including a mobile phone and bank cards, on the shore.

 A police and coastguard search were launched, involving the coastguard’s rescue helicopter, the RNLI hovercraft, and Essex Police’s missing person’s boat.

 Dover Coastguard, coordinating the search, requested the volunteer crew to search from Old Leigh to Southend pier while HM Coastguard Canvey Island and HM Coastguard Southend On Sea teams searched the shoreline.

 A Coastguard helicopter based at Lydd arrived on scene to carry out an aerial search of the area.

 Essex Police appealed to the public for information on social media and posted a video of the missing person seen on CCTV in Old Leigh before entering the water.

 All search parties were stood down at 12.30am when the missing person was located safe at their home.

 It is reported the man had exited the water elsewhere on the shore.

 A spokesperson for Essex Police said: “Good news. We had earlier appealed to the public for information on a man in Old Leigh who we were working hard to find.

 “He has now been identified and he is safe and well.

 “Thank you to everyone who shared our appeal and who got in touch to provide valuable information.

 “Your efforts to help really do make a difference.”

 Southend RNLI volunteer hovercraft Commander said: “We carried out a thorough search between Old Leigh and Shoeburyness in very good weather conditions.

 “Thankfully the person was eventually found safe at their home.

 “Our volunteer RNLI crew both onshore and on the hovercraft worked hard as a team and completed a great job.”

 A spokesman for HM Coastguard Southend commented: “HM Coastguard Southend last night led a large-scale search locally for a male seen on CCTV entering the water in just shorts leaving their personal belongings on the shoreline and were not seen to return, reported by a number of first informants.

 “The missing person appears to have entered the water at Old Leigh and become disoriented and somehow was able to exit the water elsewhere and made their way inland to a place of safety ,which was later established by Essex Police.

 “This was a very good outcome and all assets were stood down approximately 12.30am.

“Should you see anyone in trouble on or near the coast, don’t hesitate to dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard, you could save someone’s life.”

Picture: Southend RNLI hovercraft returning from the extended search/Nigel Gilchrist.

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