Rescue workers will resume their search Wednesday for a man who was swept out to sea by strong winds in Blackpool after seeing in the New Year.
The 41-year-old was walking a dog along the seafront with a friend when the pair got caught by a wave in the early hours of New Year’s Day.
The second man managed to get to safety and call for help.
An initial search operation for the missing man, involving the RNLI, Coastguard, police and RAF, was hampered by strong gale-force winds and called off after a few hours.
Rescue crews resumed their search of the Irish Sea later Tuesday but were unable to find the man, who is from the local area. They were due to continue their search Wednesday but hopes of finding him alive are slim.
A Lancashire Police spokeswoman said: “The man and a friend were walking a dog along steps leading from the promenade to the sea, close to the Central Pier on South Shore, when a wave washed them into the sea.
“Despite waterline searches his body has not yet been found.”
Stuart Atkinson, watch manager at Crosby Coastguard station, said an extensive search had been carried out and attempts made to get a lifeline to the man.
“We do believe a life ring was thrown to him and a football,” he said. “We have located the football but not the life ring.”
Search continues for man swept into sea
