Body is found after major Lyme Regis search operation (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

Body is found after major Lyme Regis search operation

11:35am Wednesday 30th January 2013 in Lyme Regis By Adrianne Maslen

A BODY was found washed up on rocks on the Lyme Regis coast following a major search operation for a missing man.

It is believed to be Simon Mark Douthwaite whose disappearance in freezing weather sparked a huge search involving dozens of emergency services personnel, search and rescue volunteers and members of the public who offered their help.

It is understood Mr Douthwaite plunged from the Cobb wall into the sea.

Dorset was put on alert on Wednesday when information was received about Mr Douthwaite, 41, from Purton, near Swindon, being in the Lyme area.

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: “We received a report of a missing man from the Purton area on Wednesday morning.

“Intelligence suggested that the man might be in the Dorset area so we liaised with our colleagues in Dorset Police.”

There were concerns for his welfare and police were anxious to trace him.

A wide-scale land and sea search was launched involving police from Dorset and Wiltshire, the force helicopter, police dogs, coastguards, lifeboat and Dorset Search and Rescue to locate Mr Douthwaite.

The body, which was found by walkers, was recovered by Lyme Regis lifeboat from Seven Rock Point, to the west of the Cobb, Thursday morning.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said the death was not being treated as suspicious.

The force spokesman said: “Officers, ambulance staff and the coastguard attended the location where a man believed to be in his 40s was pronounced dead.

“The coroner has been notified, but next of kin are yet to be informed.

“Dorset Police would like to thank members of the public who have assisted with the search for this missing man over the past couple of days.”

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police added: “We have found a body in Dorset which we believe to be the missing person.”

The search for Mr Douthwaite began on Wednesday morning amid concern for his welfare but police stressed that he was not dangerous.

Search teams scoured the area of dense woodland around Ware Cliff, which leads to the Undercliff National Nature Reserve and co-ordinated the search from Holmbush car park.

The lifeboat was launched twice on Wednesday, initially at 2pm, in its first call-outs of the year.

A lifeboat spokesman said: “After two and a half hours carrying out a shoreline sweep, and with visibility failing, the lifeboat was stood down.

“But, just 15 minutes after returning, the lifeboat was launched again following a report that a man had appeared to fall from the high wall of the harbour.

“A search afloat and by shore crews proved negative.”

Local shops and businesses were shown a photograph of Mr Douthwaite in the hope of finding him.

The search continued ashore after dark and moved onto the Lyme Regis seafront area where rescuers checked Langmoor and Lister Gardens and the Cobb for the missing man.

The search was resumed in the morning and police responded to a report at 10.15am that a body had been found near Monmouth Beach.

The body was recovered by the lifeboat at 10.24am.

An inquest into the death of Mr Douthwaite has been opened and adjourned.