Major UK river search launched after two boys discovered ‘unwell’ on banks
Emergency services are scouring the River Freshney for any more casualties after two boys were found unwell near its banks in the early hours of this morning.
Humberside Police confirmed specialist officers and teams from other emergency services are searching the area to “establish if there are any other people that require assistance,” GrimsbyLive reports.
In a statement, officials said: “Enquiries are underway in Grimsby after two teenage boys were found unwell near to the River Freshney shortly after 5am this morning, Sunday 20 October. A scene guard is currently in place whilst specialist officers and partner agencies carry out searches in the area to establish if there are any other people that require assistance.
“We urge anyone with information that may assist our investigations to please call us on 101 quoting log 94 of 20 October.”
Witnesses said they saw Humberside Fire & Rescue Service, the Coastguard, and East Midlands Ambulance Service at the scene at around 7.30 am this morning.
Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance arrived near the scene at 9.44am, landing near Willows Academy, according to Flight Radar data. It left the scene around 10.44am and flew southwest, not evidently heading in the direction of a hospital.
Humberside Fire & Rescue Service confirmed it had sent out three appliances and one boat. Meanwhile a HM Coastguard spokesperson said: “HM Coastguard received a request to assist the police with a search near the River Freshney, at 3.45 this morning, 20 October. Cleethorpes and Donna Nook coastguard rescue teams and a coastguard helicopter were sent. The police and fire service also attended.”
Nearby Cromwell Road was closed heading towards the Willows estate but the cordon is now being lifted. Access to and from Macaulay Park housing estate is still permitted. Pedestrians are being diverted away from the scene. Locals are advised to take an alternative path along the River Freshney.
A cordon was also in place at Grimsby Golf Centre. Staff arrived at 7.30am to find the area closed. “We have not been told anything about why the cordon is in place. We are still open though,” a staff member said.
