A LARGE-SCALE search operation took place near the Somerset seafront with police and volunteers involved amid concerns for an individual.
A large-scale search operation involving rescue teams, coastguards, police officers and specialist volunteers was launched south of Weston-super-Mare after concerns were raised for a high-risk missing man.
Avon and Somerset Police first contacted search and rescue teams late on Friday, July 24, requesting assistance in the Bleadon area. Volunteers were deployed to woodland and open countryside while officers carried out further enquiries in an effort to locate the man.
Despite extensive searches throughout Friday evening, no trace was found and operations were stood down overnight.
Major search launched for high-risk missing man near Weston
Police requested further support on Saturday, July 25, prompting teams to return to the area for a second day of searching. Additional searches were carried out across nearby locations while specialist water rescue personnel undertook bankside searches.
As the operation expanded, a number of partner agencies joined the effort, including Exmoor Search and Rescue Team, Wessex 4x4 Response, Mendip Cave Rescue, Search and Rescue Dog Association South Wales, Burnham Coastguard Rescue Team, Weston-super-Mare Coastguard Rescue Team, BARB Search and Rescue and RNLI Weston-super-Mare.
Weston-super-Mare Coastguard Rescue Team said residents may have noticed a significant emergency services presence centred around Catherine's Inn in Bleadon during the two-day operation.
In a statement, the team said: "Some of you may have noticed a large emergency services presence in Bleadon on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th, centred around Catherine's Inn.
"This was due to a multi-agency search for a high-risk missing person from the area."
The coastguard team said agencies searched a wide range of locations across Bleadon and the surrounding countryside.
It said: "Woodland, outbuildings, waterways, caves, bunkers – in fact the whole Bleadon village and surrounding areas – was covered by the agencies, and at present the male has not been found.
"Ring doorbell footage and CCTV came up with no further sightings.
"The search, although scaled back, is continuing and investigations are still ongoing.
"We remain on stand-by as and when the police require our assistance."
Despite the combined efforts of all organisations involved, the missing man was not found during the operation.
Search teams remain ready to assist Avon and Somerset Police as enquiries continue.
The operation involved volunteers and emergency service personnel working for a total of 16 hours over the two days.
Both Avon and Somerset Search and Rescue and Weston-super-Mare Coastguard Rescue Team thanked staff at Catherine's Inn for their support throughout the incident.
The coastguard team said: "We would like to thank the team at Catherine's Inn for their amazing hospitality in allowing us to set up our command centre in the pub."
Investigations into the missing person's whereabouts remain ongoing.
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