Upturned kayak: Police search river

NEAR MARINA

EMPTY VESSEL WAS SPOTTED

A STRETCH of river was searched on Sunday after an overturned kayak was spotted in the water.

Leicestershire Police took part in the search of the River Trent after the empty craft was found at the river bank near Shardlow Marina, north of Castle Donington.

Officers and crews from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service also visited nearby Sawley Marina as part of the operation to establish whether anyone had gone into the water.

A large-scale operation led to speculation online over the incident but there was no evidence anyone had got into difficulty, the force said that evening.

In a statement, it said: “Further inquiries have also been carried out with Derbyshire Police and Nottinghamshire Police assisting the searches to ensure no concern had been raised that a person may be in danger in the water.

“The police drone was also used to assist the searches and CCTV inquiries have been carried out.

“No-one has been found in the water as a result of the searches and no further concerns have been raised following inquiries.

“Police are continuing inquiries and as part of this, officers are asking anyone who has any concern that a person may have got into danger in the water to make contact.”

The force also wants to hear from anyone who has lost a kayak.

Chief Inspector Manjit Atwal said: “Following the report of an overturned kayak, emergency services teams have carried out a full search of the area.

“Inquiries at this stage have not shown anyone to be in any danger or led to any further concern being raised.

“It may be that the weather has caused an empty kayak to overturn in the water and no-one is in danger or that someone has lost a kayak in the water but they are safe.

“However, we do want to ensure we have done everything possible before we stop our inquiries.

“We are therefore informing the public of this report and the work that has been carried out so that if anyone does have any concern that someone they know has got into danger, they can make contact with us.

“Similarly if you have lost a kayak in the area, then please also make contact with us.”

Contact Leicestershire Police on 101.