Huge search after 'person' seen in Sidmouth river

A huge search and rescue mission was launched after reports of a person floating in a Devon river during Storm Bert. Police, fire crews, urban search and rescue teams, the ambulance service, coastguard rescue teams and a coastguard helicopter all joined the search in Sidmouth.

They were following up on reports that a person had been seen in the River Sid at 10am yesterday. Teams searched the river and “spotters” were placed along the river, at the river mouth and on the beach at Sidmouth.

As Storm Bert hammered the South West, conditions for the search were said to be “very testing” due to heavy rain and rough seas.

But the search was ended at about 5pm as night fell. Coastguard and police are, however, still appealing for information about the incident.

A spokesperson for the Beer and Exmouth Coastguard Rescue Teams said: “There were two reports of a person seen floating down the river near the ford. Beer and Exmouth Coastguard teams, senior coastguard officer, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue and their flood team, USAR (urban search and rescue), police, coastguard helicopter from Newquay and HART (hazardous area response team) all attended.

“Search teams from all agencies searched the river with spotters placed along the river, river mouth and beach. Conditions were very testing with a SW gale, heavy rain and large waves.

“As the search progressed and with numerous emergency workers at the scene, Sidmouth sailing club opened up for us, providing tea, coffee and food to keep us fed and a place to warm up, we thank them for their hospitality.

“As the daylight was lost and with nothing found we were stood down and returned to station at 5.05pm.”

A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesperson said: “HM Coastguard was alerted to reports of a person in the water in the river Sidmouth yesterday, November 23, at around 10am. Devon and Cornwall Police and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service attended on scene.

“Beer and Exmouth Coastguard Rescue Teams and the Coastguard helicopter from Newquay were also tasked. The coastguard assets concluded their searches and were stood down yesterday.”

A spokesperson from Devon and Cornwall police yesterday said: "Emergency services were called shortly before 10am today to the river at Salcombe Road in Sidmouth , after members of the public reported concerns about an object seen in the water. A multi-agency search and rescue operation took place but at this time nothing has been located. Searches at the scene are reducing however inquiries remain ongoing.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting log 236 of 23 November.