The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
RNLI find two bodies in their search for missing brothers
INCIDENT: The pair were last seen close to St Annes Pier along with their 15-year-old cousin
Two bodies have been found in the search for two brothers who went missing at sea off the Fylde coast in Lancashire.
Muhammad Azhar Shabbir, 18, and Ali Athar Shabbir, 16, from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, were last seen close to St Annes Pier in Lytham St Annes on Saturday evening.
Their 15-year-old cousin, also from Dewsbury, managed to swim to the shore.
The youngster, who was not named, remains in hospital.
HM Coastguard tweeted: “Our thoughts are with Muhammad and Ali’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.”
A statement from Lancashire Police said: “Our HM Coastguard and RNLI colleagues searching for missing brothers Muhammad Azhar Shabbir, 18, and Ali Athar Shabbir, 16, from Dewsbury have sadly found two bodies.
“The discovery was made at just after 3.15pm this afternoon (Sunday, August 16) around a mile away from St Annes Pier, where they sadly got into difficulty in the water yesterday evening (Saturday, August 15).
“Whilst they have yet to be formally identified, they are believed to be Muhammad and Ali. Their family have been notified and are continuing to be supported by a specially trained officer.
“Our thoughts and condolences remain with them and their friends at this incredibly distressing time.
“Thanks again to our colleagues at HM Coastguard, the RNLI and the National Police Air Service (NPAS) for helping the search to find Muhammad and Ali, as well as everyone who sent kind words and offered to help the search.”