Urgent search for missing man, 50, after empty car found on UK beach as helicopter and coastguard join huge search
Police are urgently searching with the coastguard for the man
AN URGENT search has been launched to find a missing man after a car was found abandoned on a popular beach.
The empty car was found by mystified members of the public at East Preston beach in West Sussex shortly after 2.10pm on Sunday.
Pictures from the beach show a huge search operation in place, including a helicopter combing the seafront.
Sussex Police is urgently searching with the HM Coastguard for 50-year-old Alexander.
He is around 5ft 10ins tall and is known to wear baggy clothing and a hat.
A Coastguard helicopter has been searching the area, as well as police officers, dog units, drones and the RNLI.
The Shoreham lifeboat was sent out at 2.35pm today, a spokesperson for the RNLI said.
A Sussex Police spokesperson said: “We are concerned for the welfare of Alexander who is missing from Sheffield.
“The 50-year-old was last seen near East Preston beach today.
“Alexander is 5’10” tall and wears baggy clothing and a hat.
“If you see Alexander, please call 999 immediately quoting serial 0508 of 22/12.”
A spokesperson said: “HM Coastguard received a request for assistance from Sussex Police with an incident at East Preston beach just after 14:10 today (22 Dec)
“A coastguard helicopter, Littlehampton Coastguard Rescue Team and Shoreham RNLI lifeboats have been sent.”
