Search for missing teenage boy off Portland coast is stood down

An extensive search for a young snorkeler who was reported missing off Portland in Dorset has been suspended pending further information, the coastguard has said.

RNLI lifeboats from Weymouth and Swanage, coastguard search and rescue helicopters from St Athan and Lee-on-Solent, a police helicopter, two coastguard fixed wing search aircraft, rescue boats from the cruise ships Britannia and Queen Mary 2, two Royal Navy warships, a Royal Navy helicopter, coastguard rescue teams from Wyke and Portland Bill and Dorset Police, were involved involved in the search.

Oscar Montgomery, aged 17, was diving off Church Ope Cove on Wednesday, 27 May, and was last seen at around 5pm.

He is described as white and of a slim muscular build with brown hair and a small slit in his left eyebrow. He was wearing a dark-coloured wetsuit with black flippers and a black snorkel.

Three helicopters from the Coastguard, Navy, and police are involved in the search, along with several boats.

Despite the search being suspended, Dorset Police is continuing to carry out extensive enquiries to try and locate the young snorkeler.

Anyone with information or knowledge of Oscar’s whereabouts is asked to contact Dorset Police by calling 101, quoting incident number 27:492.