Search called off for British sailor missing at sea after yacht found ‘eviscerated’ in stormy weather
The search for a British sailor who is missing at sea after his yacht was found “eviscerated” in the Atlantic has been called off.
The 73-year-old set off his distress beacon on Saturday after getting into difficulty approximately 80km (50 miles) west of Lacanau, the Préfecture maritime de l’Atlantique.
A French air force helicopter was dispatched to find the man, but found his 12-metre yacht, the Tiger PA, “eviscerated” in the Bay of Biscay. Two divers were winched down and found the liferaft, but it was empty.
A Portuguese cargo ship and a Spanish hospital ship that provides treatment for fishermen at sea were diverted to join the search, along with a maritime surveillance aircraft of the French navy.
However, after several hours of searching, it was called off in the early hours of Sunday morning “due to a lack of information”, with the sailor lost at sea.
Local media said there had been high winds in the Atlantic at the onset of Storm Herminia, which battered France in the wake of Storm Éowyn, with gusts of up to 98mph recorded off the west French coast on Sunday.
More than 100 people in the worst affected areas of Somerset have been evacuated from their homes, with more than 30 flood warnings in effect across England as the UK recovers from Storm Eowyn.
A series of weather warnings are in place to cover the potential impacts from the less powerful Storm Herminia, a low pressure system named by meteorologists in Spain, which is expected to feel the strongest winds.
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Somerset Council and police jointly declared a major incident in the region which was still in force on Monday evening.
A council spokesman said: “Following intense rainfall across the region at the weekend, several parts of Somerset were flooded on Sunday afternoon, including roads and some homes in the centre of Chard and Ilminster.
“With further heavy rainfall expected to fall in the early hours of Monday morning, a major incident was called and a decision was made to carry out precautionary evacuations for residents living in properties in the worst affected areas, as well as a caravan site thought to be at risk.
“Rest centres were set up in Chard, Ilminster and Somerton, and all the relevant agencies will continue to work to keep residents safe.”
Somerton Fire Station said 61 people were rescued from flooded properties, including from a mobile home site in Charlton Adam, and temporarily relocated to Edgar Community Hall.
Local Liberal Democrat MP for Glastonbury and Somerton Sarah Dyke appealed for available first aiders to make their way to the hall and for suppliers of portable beds and bedding to get in touch.
A yellow alert for rain was issued by the Met Office covering parts of southern England until 10am on Tuesday, warning of heavy rain, possible thunderstorms and flooding.
Another yellow warning for rain is in place until 9pm on Tuesday covering large swathes of Wales and parts of the West Midlands. A yellow wind alert is in force until 6am on Tuesday for southern England and parts of Wales.