30 April, 1999
COASTGUARD
Solent Coastguard are mounting a massive search for a missing 11 year old boy, after he went missing early this morning from a school party on the Isle of Wight.
The boy who has learning difficulties, dressed in his pyjamas, but wearing shoes and a coat, disappeared from the Albion hotel at Freshwater Bay on the Island at just after 2.00 am this morning.
He is described of being slight build with dark hair.
The Needles Coastguard team were called out and have begun searching the Bay from the west and travelling east, whilst the Ventnor team are searching from the east and are travelling west along its length. India Juliet, the Lee-on-Solent based Coastguard helicopter was also scrambled is searching along the length of the bay using a searchlight and its forward looking infra red camera. The Freshwater Independent Rescue Boat has also been called out to assist in the search.
John Sibley, Watch Manager at Solent Coastguard said:
"The Isle of Wight Police called us shortly after this little boy was reported missing at just after 2.00 am this morning. We are particularly concerned for his safety given the very high cliffs that fringe the Bay.
"Along with his teachers and the Police who are also out searching we are very keen to find him quickly. We understand the hotel and grounds are also being checked still further. Luckily, it is a cloudless, very clear night with a full moon and visibility is very good which will undoubtedly assist us. He is not a resident of the Island and was staying at the hotel with a school party from Kent."
