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Major search under way for boy, 13, missing at sea

David McKenna,East Yorkshire and Lincolnshireand
Phillip Norton,in Hornsea
News imagePhillip Norton/BBC Rescue crew in protective equipment walking along the seafront. There is a lifeboat visible on the sea in the distance.Phillip Norton/BBC
A teenage boy reportedly got into difficulty while swimming off Hornsea, East Yorkshire

A major search is under way for a 13-year-old boy who reportedly got into difficulty while swimming off the East Yorkshire coast, police have said.

Emergency services were called to Hornsea at about 18:00 BST.

Crews, including Hornsea Inshore Rescue, HM Coastguard and Humberside Police, remain at the scene. The RNLI said its Bridlington all-weather lifeboat joined the search.

Ch Supt Phil Booker said: "Our priority now is to find the boy, and members of the public can expect to see specialist Police Search Advisors, along with our Marine Unit and drone pilots, who have also been deployed to conduct an extensive search and rescue operation to locate him."

News imagePhillip Norton/BBC Emergency vehicles along the seafront and an officer standing in the foreground. There are a number of buildings in the background and blue flashing lights can be seen. Phillip Norton/BBC
Police say a number of agencies are involved in the search operation

Booker added: "We would urge people to please avoid the area where possible to allow emergency services to work efficiently and safely, and refrain from speculating on the circumstances of the incident."

The search is taking place off the resort's South Promenade.

In a statement, HM Coastguard said crews from Bridlington, Hornsea and Withernsea were all involved in the search, as well as the Coastguard helicopter and fixed wing aircraft.

News imagePhillip Norton/BBC A HM Coastguard helicopter in the skies over Hornsea. It is red and white and has lights on its undercarriage.Phillip Norton/BBC
A coastguard helicopter is involved in the search

Speaking at the scene, the BBC's Phillip Norton said it was a "subdued" atmosphere, with police and emergency services "dotted along the sea wall as far as the eye can see".

He added: "Watching on are dozens of members of the public, many looking out to sea where the search has been taking place.

"A lifeboat can be seen about a mile offshore, and a coastguard helicopter has been searching up and down the beach and waterline here for some time."

Anyone with information that could help the search is asked to contact Humberside Police.

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