Body found in major search by RNLI and Coastguard for missing diver who vanished in the English Channel
- Diver in his 40s disappeared off the Isle of Portland around 10am this morning
- He was pronounced dead this afternoon after his body was recovered at 3.40pm
The body of a missing diver who vanished the English Channel this morning and sparked a major search by the RNLI and Coastguard has been found.
The man, believed to be in his 40s and from Hampshire, went for a dive off the Isle of Portland, Dorset and failed to report in as expected.
The Coastguard, RNLI, diving companies and civilian vessels launched a search for the diver which lasted more than five hours.
The driver was pronounced dead this afternoon after his body was recovered around 3.40pm, Dorset Police have said.
The diver has not been named publicly, but the coroner and his next of kin have been notified.
The body of a missing diver who vanished the English Channel this morning and sparked a major search by the RNLI and Coastguard has been found. Exmouth RNLI lifesavers are pictured during the search today
Ships in the Channel were asked to aid in an air-sea search for the diver this morning.
A lifeboat in Weymouth was called to assist the Coastguard around 10am after the diver failed to report in as expected.
The crew of Exmouth RNLI all weather lifeboat then joined in the search around 1.30pm and headed to the diver’s last known location.
The volunteers were on scene for about an hour and searched the area until the Coastguard stood them down around 3.45pm.
The Coastguard informed police that they had located the diver in the water off of Portland at around 3.40pm.
A spokesperson for Dorset Police told Bristol Live: ‘Sadly, the diver – believed to be a man in his 40s and from Hampshire – was pronounced dead. His next of kin have been informed and the coroner has been notified.’
The man, believed to be in his 40s and from Hampshire, went for a dive off the Isle of Portland , Dorset and failed to report in as expected. The driver was pronounced dead this afternoon after his body was recovered around 3.40pm. The crew of Exmouth RNLI all weather lifeboat are pictured during today’s search
A spokesperson for Weymouth Lifeboat had said earlier today that it was initially believed two people had been unaccounted for.
At about 2pm it shared: ‘Request at 10:05 to assist Coastguard search for a driver [sic] (Updated 14:29 now understood to be one diver), approximately 2nm SE of Portland Bill, who’ve not reported in as expected. Search still in progress.’
It is unclear if there was a second missing person or if they have since been found. MailOnline has approached authorities for comment.
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