A search off the UK coast is under way after a boat sank. The coastguard, RNLI, police and ambulance service are off the Devon coast near Torquay.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency say it received a report at around 10.30am of a small vessel sinking off the coast with two people on board. One person has been rescued by the lifeboat while a search is ongoing for the second person.
In a full statement, a spokesperson for MCGA told Devon Live: "HM Coastguard is coordinating a search after a small vessel with two people on board was reported to have sunk off the coast of Torquay today (May 19).
"The alarm was raised at about 10.30am, prompting the immediate launch of the Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Lee-on-Solent, and the RNLI all-weather lifeboat from Torbay.
"One casualty has been rescued by the lifeboat while a search is ongoing for the second person.
"Nearby vessels are assisting alongside Exmouth RNLI all-weather lifeboat, HM Coastguard’s fixed wing aircraft, and the Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from St Athan.
"Devon and Cornwall Police and the South Western Ambulance Service attended to the survivor. MAIB have been informed."
Subscribe here for the latest news where you live
Aircraft-tracking radar shows a helicopter - thought to belong to the coastguard - flying backwards and forwards out to sea due east of Paignton, presumably as it searches the area.
An eyewitness contacted DevonLive earlier today to claim 'several fishing boats' are helping in the search. The witness said: "I'm a skipper on a fishing boat and am currently listening to the search on the radio.
"The SAR (search and rescue) helicopter Exmouth lifeboat and Torbay lifeboat (are) in search formation and several fishing boats heading to join."
