The full Coastguard team was tasked to assist the police in an extensive search for a missing 70 year old local man, a keen walker, missing since midday. The lifeboat searched the coast to the east and west of Lyme without success before the light failed. Coastguard search and rescue teams and the police were then joined by the lifeboat crew as they continued a widespread search of the town and surrounding countryside. The Devon and Cornwall police helicopter was also called in.
The search was called off after some five hours and was resumed at first light.
At 0504 the man was located by an RAF Search and Rescue helicopter from Chivenor in the Black Venn area east of Lyme Regis. He was winched to safety and the helicopter then landed on the beach, where an ambulance was waiting. The man was met by family members and after a medical check-up was taken home.
Lyme Regis Coastguard 