Menu
12/06/2007
Air-and-sea search called off for missing father
A massive air-and-sea search for a man whose two-year-old son was found in the English Channel has been called off.
However, a Sussex Police specialist search team and the West Sussex Fire and Rescue Technical Rescue Team will continue to search the coast for 50-year-old Alan Watkins for a further 24 hours.
The search for Mr Watkins began after his son, Arun, was found in the sea, off Littlehampton in West Sussex on Sunday.
The two-year-old died in hospital two hours after he was found.
Arun is believed to have been with his father when he went missing. A 5ft-long dinghy, containing nappies and a child's armbands, was found drifting close to where the child was discovered.
A member of the public is believed to have seen Mr Watkins and his son entering the sea in their dinghy at Sea Road in Littlehampton between 4:30pm and 5pm on Sunday afternoon.
Mr Watkins and his son were reported missing by his wife on Sunday night. A caravanette registered to him was also found parked in Sea Road.
Detective Chief Inspector Adam Hibbert said that Arun had been wearing a sunblock suit when he was found, but was not wearing a buoyancy aid.
He confirmed that police were examining a "number of hypotheses" to explain the circumstances of the incident. He told reporters: "We had to deliver a terrible piece of news to the boy's mum last night and she is having to deal with that.
"It would be wrong of us to run in and ask her so many questions so quickly."
It is believed that the family visited the Littlehampton area last year. However, it is not known if they had any other connections to the area.
Lifeboats, a helicopter and dogs have been involved in the land and sea search for Mr Watkins.
However, the Coastguard confirmed that their air and sea search has now been called off.
Coastguard sector manager for South Downs, Ross Greenhill, said: "We have made an extensive search of the coast and, with the lifeboat, up to two miles out to sea.
"Our search is now not expected to resume unless further information comes to light."
(KMcA/JM)
However, a Sussex Police specialist search team and the West Sussex Fire and Rescue Technical Rescue Team will continue to search the coast for 50-year-old Alan Watkins for a further 24 hours.
The search for Mr Watkins began after his son, Arun, was found in the sea, off Littlehampton in West Sussex on Sunday.
The two-year-old died in hospital two hours after he was found.
Arun is believed to have been with his father when he went missing. A 5ft-long dinghy, containing nappies and a child's armbands, was found drifting close to where the child was discovered.
A member of the public is believed to have seen Mr Watkins and his son entering the sea in their dinghy at Sea Road in Littlehampton between 4:30pm and 5pm on Sunday afternoon.
Mr Watkins and his son were reported missing by his wife on Sunday night. A caravanette registered to him was also found parked in Sea Road.
Detective Chief Inspector Adam Hibbert said that Arun had been wearing a sunblock suit when he was found, but was not wearing a buoyancy aid.
He confirmed that police were examining a "number of hypotheses" to explain the circumstances of the incident. He told reporters: "We had to deliver a terrible piece of news to the boy's mum last night and she is having to deal with that.
"It would be wrong of us to run in and ask her so many questions so quickly."
It is believed that the family visited the Littlehampton area last year. However, it is not known if they had any other connections to the area.
Lifeboats, a helicopter and dogs have been involved in the land and sea search for Mr Watkins.
However, the Coastguard confirmed that their air and sea search has now been called off.
Coastguard sector manager for South Downs, Ross Greenhill, said: "We have made an extensive search of the coast and, with the lifeboat, up to two miles out to sea.
"Our search is now not expected to resume unless further information comes to light."
(KMcA/JM)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
11 June 2007
Toddler found in sea dies: Father missing
A two-year-old boy who was found floating in the English Channel has died and police say that the search for the boy's father is continuing. At about 6.40pm on Sunday Solent Coastguard received a call from a yacht reporting that they had discovered a dinghy floating empty about a mile out to sea.
Toddler found in sea dies: Father missing
A two-year-old boy who was found floating in the English Channel has died and police say that the search for the boy's father is continuing. At about 6.40pm on Sunday Solent Coastguard received a call from a yacht reporting that they had discovered a dinghy floating empty about a mile out to sea.
13 June 2007
Missing father's body found in English Channel
The body of missing man Alan Watkins has been found in the English Channel, close to where his two-year-old son's body was found at the weekend. Mr Watkins, 50, and his son Arun, were reported missing on Sunday evening by Arun's mother, Sheena Basnayake. The pair had gone sailing in a dinghy in Littlehampton in West Sussex on Sunday afternoon.
Missing father's body found in English Channel
The body of missing man Alan Watkins has been found in the English Channel, close to where his two-year-old son's body was found at the weekend. Mr Watkins, 50, and his son Arun, were reported missing on Sunday evening by Arun's mother, Sheena Basnayake. The pair had gone sailing in a dinghy in Littlehampton in West Sussex on Sunday afternoon.
20 August 2013
Empty Dinghy Sea Search Called Off
A search which was launched following the discovery of an empty dinghy found floating at sea, just off the Northumberland coast, has been called off. A Dutch fishing vessel spotted the 2m (6.5ft) dinghy drifting some 15 miles at sea at around 7pm on Monday.
Empty Dinghy Sea Search Called Off
A search which was launched following the discovery of an empty dinghy found floating at sea, just off the Northumberland coast, has been called off. A Dutch fishing vessel spotted the 2m (6.5ft) dinghy drifting some 15 miles at sea at around 7pm on Monday.
31 July 2007
Missing Policeman's Body Found In Sea
The body off a British police constable who went missing following a dive at Horn Head off the County Donegal coast on Sunday afternoon has been recovered. Paul Jackson, 49, was a constable with Humberside Police and had been on holiday in Donegal with friends.
Missing Policeman's Body Found In Sea
The body off a British police constable who went missing following a dive at Horn Head off the County Donegal coast on Sunday afternoon has been recovered. Paul Jackson, 49, was a constable with Humberside Police and had been on holiday in Donegal with friends.
20 November 2013
New Search Conducted For Teenager Swept Out To Sea
A fresh search has been carried out for 14-year-old Dylan Alkins, who was swept out to sea from an East Sussex beach last month. The teenager was last seen on October 27, playing in the surf at Newhaven's West Beach, East Sussex.
New Search Conducted For Teenager Swept Out To Sea
A fresh search has been carried out for 14-year-old Dylan Alkins, who was swept out to sea from an East Sussex beach last month. The teenager was last seen on October 27, playing in the surf at Newhaven's West Beach, East Sussex.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A few fog patches at first, soon clearing to leave a dry day with some patchy cloud and good sunny spells. Light and variable winds. Feeling mild in sunny spells. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:Dry and quite chilly overnight under prolonged clear spells and light winds. This will allow a few fog patches to develop in places. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
