Man goes overboard on lake cruise

Holidaymakers were caught up in a major search and rescue operation today after a man went overboard on a pleasure cruise in the Lake District, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said.

The man, who remains missing, went overboard off the Ullswater lake vessel Lady of the Lake at around 10am.

The MCA said passengers saw him go overboard at Sharrow Bay but quickly lost sight of him.

He is described as 6ft tall and wearing a grey top and dark brown trousers. He was not wearing a lifejacket.

Rescue crews from Ullswater Outbound Centre and nearby Howtown were sent to the scene, and a search and rescue helicopter was scrambled.

The Lady of the Lake was initially held at the spot but later allowed to return to dock where the 53 passengers were questioned by Cumbria Police.

North Lakes Coastguard Rescue Team was also alerted and air and shoreside searches are under way.

The Lady of the Lake is operated by a company called Ullswater Steamers.

A spokesman said nobody was available to comment as staff were assisting with the ongoing search operation.