Extreme sportsman, 26, missing after attempting solo climb up sea cliff

AN EXTREME sportsman is feared to have drowned after plunging from a 120ft high cliff during a dangerous climb.

The 26-year-old was deep-water soloing - a perilous variation of sea-cliff climbing - when it is thought he fell 60ft down a jagged rock face and into the sea.

A massive air and sea search was underway today after the man’s concerned partner raised the alarm when he failed to return home.

The sport - which is practised at high tide – relies on water to break climbers fall.

The missing man is thought to have been alone at the time of his plunge as a colleague in a dinghy usually picks up a fallen climber.

The casualty’s equipment was found at the midway point of the 120ft cliff by a coastguard officer who abseiled down it.

A seven hour search was carried out by police, coastguards, lifeboats and a rescue helicopter.

The coastguard helicopter scanned the cliffs between Anvil Point and Dancing Ledge, near Swanage, Dorset using thermal technology.

Two lifeboats searched the water below but their efforts were called off at 8am today.

Chief Inspector Bob Acaster, of Dorset Police, said: "The man told his partner he was going climbing for the day but he failed to return home as normal.

"Every indication is that he did indeed go climbing on his own and we are very concerned that he may have come to some harm.

"It is possible that he may have gone deep water climbing which typically involves using a rope to lower down the cliff and then climbing back up unsupported.

"I am appealing to anyone who was in the Swanage area yesterday and saw a man climbing the cliffs or in the Durlston Road area to please contact Dorset Police.";

The climber, from Southampton, Hants, is described as white, 5ft 9ins tall, of slim build, and has ginger hair and blue eyes.

A spokesman from Swanage lifeboat said: "After responding to a request from the police at 1:30am we began a shoreline search for the climber.

"After the man's climbing equipment was recovered we conducted a more detailed search of the area.

"We swept all along that part of coastline looking for lights or shouts for help.

"After finding nothing we expanded our search a mile out to see.

"We are sorry to say that by the time we stopped the search there were no signs of the climber.

"The search will recommence if any further information comes to light."

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