Search for dinghy after body found in river

Published on 08/04/2012 00:00

A MAN has died after apparently going on to a river in an inflatable dinghy.

A search involving the police, a mountain rescue team and a helicopter was launched yesterday morning after a 35-year-old man was reported missing from his home in Brompton-on-Swale, near Richmond, in North Yorkshire.

A body was found after a search of the river at about 9am.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “The 35-year-old male had been reported as being missing from his home address after his partner had awoken to find him missing from the address and believed he left to go on to the River Swale in a yellow inflatable dinghy.”

He said this was at 4.50am. A search of the river downstream from the man’s home was launched involving the Swaledale Mountain Rescue team and the West Yorkshire Police helicopter, as well as local officers.

The police and mountain rescue team concentrated their search on a stretch of the River Swale downstream from Catterick Bridge.

The spokesman said: “Just after 9am this morning a man’s body was found on the river bank, believed to be that of the missing male.”

He said the 6ft inflatable boat had not been found and asked for the public to keep a lookout for it. Anyone seeing the dinghy is urged to report it to the police.

Acting Inspector Neil Northend called for anyone who has information about the incident to get in touch with the police.

He said: “Our support and thoughts go out to the family and friends during this difficult time.”