FOUND: POLICE HELICOPTER CIRCLES FIRESTONE AS OFFICERS SEEK MISSING PERSON

Police searching for a high risk missing person have descended on the Firestone Copse area between Havenstreet and Wootton this afternoon (Saturday). Numerous officers have been deployed on foot into the forest, with the National Police Air Service helicopter called in from Bournemouth to sweep the area from the skies above. Specialist officers have also deployed a drone is the vicinity of Havenstreet village. Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary is yet to issue an appeal for information, so it is not known who is missing nor a description of them. UPDATE @ 17:00 – WightSAR, the Island’s voluntary search and rescue team, have been called out to assist with the ongoing search. Island Echo understands the missing person is male, but no further information is available at this time. UPDATE @ 22:25 – Searches have continued tonight, with the Police helicopter drafted in once again to search the Ryde and Wootton areas. The helicopter has now, once again, stood down. WightSAR also appear to be winding down their search efforts, which have focused on the Binstead area this evening. Police have still not released any information. UPDATE SUNDAY – Police have confirmed that the high-risk missing person has been located.