Four missing after charity swim in sea

Participants had been swimming in the sea between Bournemouth and Boscombe’s piers to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

At one stage, up to nine people were reported missing but a number of them were later confirmed to have gone home without informing event organisers.

Although it was unclear whether the remaining four had done the same, coastguards were still carrying out searches.

Organisers raised the alarm shortly after 2pm after a head count showed people were missing. It resulted in three lifeboats and the coastguard helicopter being deployed.

Organisers said no luggage had been left at the race start, suggesting those unaccounted for “may have just gone home”.

Coastguards urged the swimmers, if they were safe, to get in touch so the search could be called off.

An estimated 1,000 people take part in the annual 1.4 mile Pier to Pier charity swim.