Rescuers call off search for man ‘swept to sea by waves’ at Blackpool beach

Emergency crews hunted in rough conditions but no trace of anyone found

The sea at Blackpool was stormy as rescue teams searched (Getty)

A huge search operation for a man feared to have been swept into the sea at Blackpool after dark has been called off.

A coastguard helicopter and crews, a lifeboat and police all carried out an intensive hunt during Saturday night and again at first light on Sunday, but failed to find anyone.

A member of the public on the promenade first raised the alarm, reporting having seen a man on the beach very close to the water.

The passer-by shouted a warning, then called the coastguard at 11.20pm when the man disappeared from view.

Emergency teams, including Lytham RNLI lifeboat, searched the area in “very rough” conditions with strong winds, but no trace of him was found.

A spokeswoman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: “A further search began this morning at first light involving officers from Knott End, Fleetwood and Lytham St Annes coastguard rescue teams, with nothing found.”

She said the sea had been at low tide for the early morning search, and the case would now be in the hands of the police.

Such incidents were not uncommon, she said, adding: “With parts of the UK set to be battered by winds up to gale-force strength this week, please keep well clear of the waves and don’t risk your life – keep a respectful distance.”

Storm Brendan is forecast to bring strong winds to Britain on Monday, prompting the Met Office to issue a yellow wind warning.

In the US at least 11 people died as severe storms caused hurricane-force winds, hail, snow and heavy rain.