Search Update

The body of a man and his kayak have been recovered from the water this afternoon 22 nautical miles south of Tyneham.

On Sunday 7 October 2018 following an extensive search coordinated by HM Coastguard, the man – believed to be 60-year-old Alistair Collier – was located in the water alongside his kayak by the coastguard fixed wing aircraft and recovered from the water by HMS Tyne and transferred to Poole Hospital by coastguard helicopter.

The search began yesterday afternoon, Saturday 6 October 2018, when race organisers raised the alarm after the man failed to finish a race, which was running between Knoll Beach and Swanage Pier.

An extensive search was carried out yesterday, overnight and throughout today with RNLI lifeboats from Swanage, Poole, Yarmouth, Mudeford, Bembridge and Weymouth, along with Coastguard Rescue Teams from Swanage, St Albans, Kimmeridge and Lulworth and Dorset Police. Coastguard helicopters from Lee-on-Solent, St Athan and Newquay searched overnight and the coastguard fixed wing aircraft was brought in this morning as the search area widened.

Formal identification has not yet taken place, but Alistair’s family have been informed and the coroner has been notified.

We would like to thank everyone who assisted in the search and who has shared the appeal.