Police – supported by WightSAR, HM Coastguard and the National Police Air Service helicopter – have launched an urgent search for missing Newport man Matthew Hatch tonight (Monday).
Officers have been deployed to the banks of the River Medina in a bid to locate the missing male, who hasn’t been in touch with his family since this morning.
Concerns have been growing throughout the day as Matthew’s behaviour is said to be unusual. His car has now been found off Riverway.
WightSAR – the Island’s voluntary search and rescue team – were called in to assist at 20:45. They have established a rendezvous point on Riverway Industrial Estate.
Coastguard Rescue Officers from Ventnor and Bembridge have also joined the search and are focusing their attentions on the River Medina. Cowes RNLI lifeboat is on the water conducting a sweep up and down the river.
Meanwhile, in the skies above Newport, the National Police Air Service helicopter from Redhill is conducting a search to assist units on the ground.
Island Echo is told that the search is for a high risk missing person. However, an appeal – including an age, description and photograph – has not yet been issued by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary.
Anyone who spots anything is asked to contact Police on 101.
UPDATE @ 23:55 – Matthew has been found and is now safely with Police.
At just before 22:30 he was located by the National Police Air Service helicopter walking along Stag Lane, to the north of the primary search area between Newport and Cowes.
Search teams are being stood down.
What does he look like might help
Fugly fugly…. Little bit like shaggy from scooby doo
Why island echo approve these stupid comments is beyond me!!
It’s good news Matthew has been found safely.