Police launch search after teenage canoeist goes missing on West Norfolk river

A major search is underway after a teenage boy who was seen "in difficulty" while canoeing on a river went missing.

Police, fire and lowland search crews are all involved in the search in the Wiggenhall St Germans area of King's Lynn in Norfolk.

Norfolk Police said the boy was first reported missing on Sunday afternoon having set off from Sluice Road around 3.50pm.

The force did not provide further details on the boy but said he was an "older teen".

The East of England Ambulance Service said that it had attended the incident following "reports of a canoeist in difficulty" on Sunday.

A spokesperson said: "Two ambulances, four hazardous area response team vehicles, three ambulance officer vehicles and East Anglian Air Ambulance were called to Sluice Road Wiggenhall St Mary [Sunday] afternoon following reports of a canoeist in difficulty.

"Ambulance resources stayed on scene until 9pm when the search the young man was stood down.

"We have also had an ambulance and ambulance officer vehicle on-scene today when the search resumed."

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service posted on X: "We are continuing to support police and other agencies with this search.

"We currently have resources including search equipment, two water rescue boats, our specialist urban search and rescue team and fire and rescue crews and officers involved in this incident."

The River Great Ouse runs through the village of Wiggenhall St Germans near the Norfolk-Cambridgeshire border.

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