Diver missing off Lyme Regis coast in Dorset

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Lifeboats and the RFA Gold Rover carry out a night search for the missing diver
Image caption,

RNLI lifeboats and the RFA Gold Rover carried out a night search unti 2100 BST for the missing diver

A search for a missing diver has been called off while a second diver was airlifted to hospital after getting into difficulties off the Dorset coast.

The alarm was raised at about 1730 BST when one of the divers became ill after a rapid ascent.

The man was airlifted to a specialist unit in Poole while a search began to find the other male diver about three miles off Lyme Regis.

It was called off at 2100 BST. They had been diving off the Blue Turtle boat.

Andrew Jenkins, coastguard watch manager, said: "Although prompt search and rescue action has resulted in one diver receiving timely medical treatment... the missing diver has not been located.

"At this stage, it would be wrong to speculate about the cause of this particular incident.

"But this is the second serious diving accident to have occurred off the Dorset coast already this season and I would like to take this opportunity to remind all divers to make sure they are well prepared, fully trained for the level of dive they are about to undertake and their equipment is properly maintained."

A spokesman for the RNLI said: "It was a widespread search by at least eight vessels.

"Our lifeboat was joined by other vessels including Weymouth RNLI lifeboat, the Sidmouth rescue boat and the RFA Gold Rover."

The incident was passed to Dorset Police as a missing person inquiry.

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