Searches for missing man near Clacton Pier 'scaled down'
Emergency services were called to the seafront on Tuesday.
Last updated 21st Jul 2022
The Coastguard tells us searches for a man still missing near Clacton Pier have been 'scaled down'.
Five people were rescued from the water on Tuesday.
Essex Police says it's now attempting to make contact with the family of the 21 year-old man, who at this stage, is being treated as a missing person.
Alex Porter, Tendring District Council (TDC) Cabinet Member for Leisure and Tourism, offered his sympathies to the friends and family of the missing man.
“Our thoughts are with those affected by this awful incident, along with the dedicated rescue teams who have spent so long searching for this gentleman,” Cllr Porter said.
“If we can support the man’s family or friends in anyway then we invite them to get in touch with us.
“I have seen much speculation on social media as to the causes of this tragedy, and while an investigation into precisely what happened is ongoing it would be inappropriate to comment further; but incidents invariably have a unique set of circumstances.
“Once this incident has been fully investigated we will of course, with our seafront partners, examine if there are any changes that could be made to practices to improve safety drawn from any lessons learnt.
“The council has worked hard with our partners over recent years to further improve coastal safety. This has included a review and installation of a wide range of new safety signage, and the introduction of a new Beach Patrol station in Clacton; with our Beach Patrol on hand to provide advice and information to beachgoers.
“Education is also key to raise awareness of the risks inherent along coastlines, and the Tendring Water Safety Forum has carried out much activity in this area in recent years.
“We would like to remind people that if you see someone in difficulty along the coastline then please call 999 and ask for Coastguard, who can quickly task an emergency response from our local RNLI and Coastguard stations.”
Emergency services were called to the seafront to reports of people in the water.
Clacton Beach Patrol, the RNLI lifeboat from Clacton and coastguard rescue teams from Clacton, Walton and Holbrook were sent to help, as well as the coastguard rescue helicopter from Lydd.
Essex Ambulance Service also attended.
A swimmer is still missing at sea and five others have been taken to hospital after being pulled from the water.
East of England Ambulance Service (EEAS) said four males and a female were taken ashore and assessed before being taken to Colchester Hospital.
A helicopter was seen patrolling the area and police and coastguard services also attended to help locate the missing swimmer.
Essex Police says there was a significant emergency response to a serious and ongoing incident near Clacton Pier.
Nigel Brown, communications manager for Clacton Pier, told PA the current appeared to have "dragged" a group under the pier.
Staff threw lifebelt rings over the side to help some of those in trouble, he said.
Footage taken by beach-goers from the shore captured the rescue operation about 100 yards from the pier.
Mr Brown said: "Eight of them were in the water but my understanding is four or five got into difficulty.
"My understanding is one person was missing.
"The group that were in the water were very worried about one person they couldn't see and were saying, 'There's one missing'.
"As far as I know, that person's still missing. They've had the helicopter up."
Mr Brown said it was "difficult to tell their ages" but he believed some were in their late teens to early 20s and fully clothed.
Shop worker Toni Cloke, who had spent the day at the seafront, said police asked beachgoers to clear the beach as emergency services took a number of people away.
The 47-year-old, of Clacton-on-Sea, said: "I saw four or five people get taken in (by emergency services) then we got asked to clear the beach."
EEAS said: "A large response, including four ambulances, our hazardous area response team and the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance, was sent to Clacton Beach this morning following reports of a number of people in difficulty in the water.
"Crews assessed four males and a female patient at the scene before transporting them by road to Colchester Hospital for further assessment and care."
Essex Police said: "We're on the scene assisting emergency services colleagues with a serious and ongoing incident close to Clacton Pier.
"There is a significant emergency services presence in the area while the incident is being dealt with. We'll provide an update as soon as we practically can."
The Coastguard said it was responding to "a report of multiple people in the water".
A spokesman said: "HM Coastguard is currently responding to an incident at Clacton Pier following a report of multiple people in the water.
"Clacton beach patrol, the RNLI lifeboat from Clacton and Coastguard rescue teams from Clacton, Walton and Holbrook have been sent to help, as well as the Coastguard rescue helicopter from Lydd.
"Essex Police, Essex Fire Service and Essex Ambulance Service are also attending.
"Five people have been rescued, with the search still ongoing for a sixth man."
You can hear all the latest UK news on the hour, every hour.