Southport Lifeboat crews have been helping the search for two boys who were swept out to sea at Lytham yesterday.
They were called out at 7.45pm following reports that two males, Muhammad Azhar Shabbir, 18, and Ali Athar Shabbir, 16, got into difficulty in the water close to St Anne’s Pier last night (Saturday, August 15). A 15-year-old boy, also in difficulty, managed to swim to shore and was taken to hospital.
Nick Porter from Southport Lifeboat said: “Our lifeboat had been involved in the massive multi agency search last night and this morning for two teenagers.
At 7.45pm last night Southport Lifeboat was paged to join the multi-agency search for two missing teenagers, believed to have been swept out to sea near Lytham.
“Our crew joined RNLI lifeboats from Blackpool and Lytham St St Anne’s, Coastguard Helicopter 936, Coastguard Rescue teams from Lytham and Fleetwood, Fylde Police and North West Ambulance in a large scale search coordinated by Holyhead Coastguard.
“The assets searched until 1.40am when the search was stood down due to there not being enough light.
“The Southport Lifeboat recovered at 2.20am and refuelled, relaunching with a new crew at 5am this morning to resume the search at first light.
“Following a further five hours of searching, the search was called off with nothing found.”
This afternoon, Lancashire Constabulary sadly confirmed the search for the missing brothers has been ‘stood down’.
Officers said despite searching the area for more than 17 hours the coastguard and RNLI have been unable to locate them.
Pictures have been released by police of Muhammad Azhar Shabbir and Ali Athar Shabbir and their family are being supported by specially trained officers.
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A Lancashire Police spokesperson said: “Sadly, despite searching for a number of hours, our colleagues at HM Coastguard and the RNLI have been unable to find missing brothers Muhammad Azhar Shabbir, 18, and Ali Athar Shabbir, 16, from Dewsbury who got into difficulty in water close to St Annes Pier yesterday evening.
“The search has now been stood down but may reconvene later today. We will update you if they are found.
“We were called at just before 6:55pm last night to a concern for their safety. A 15-year-old boy, Muhammed and Ali’s cousin, managed to swim to the shore. He remains in hospital.
“Our HM Coastguard and RNLI colleagues searched the water well into the night and resumed early this morning. They have unfortunately been unsuccessful and both Muhammad and Ali remain missing.
“Their family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers. Our thoughts remain with them at this incredibly sad and difficult time.
“Our thanks goes to HM Coastguard and the RNLI for their efforts, along with everyone who has offered their support and well wishes.”
Danny Jamson, Area Commander, for HM Coastguard said: “Following a comprehensive search effort made by all, sadly the brothers have not been found and a decision has been taken to suspend the search.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those involved.”
It costs £60,000 to keep Southport Lifeboat functioning all year round. That is no mean task during ordinary times, let alone the extraordinary times we currently find ourselves in.
Southport Lifeboat is funded entirely through public donations, and is independent of the RNLI.
There are other ways you can help the charity continue to save lives, including joining LifeboatLotto or online donations.
For more details about the emergency service, or if you would like to dominate, please visit their website:
http://www.southport-lifeboat.co.uk/
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