Lytham St Annes teenagers missing in sea: Two bodies found off Lancashire coast
Written by News on 16/08/2020
Two bodies have been found by the Coastguard and RNLI in the search for teenage brothers who got into difficulty in the sea off Lancashire.
Muhammad Azhar Shabbir, 18, and Ali Athar Shabbir, 16, went missing close to St Annes Pier in Lytham St Annes around 6.55pm on Saturday.
Lancashire Police earlier said the search was being halted but the bodies were found shortly after 3.15pm this afternoon.
They tweeted: “Whilst they have yet to be formally identified, they are believed to be Muhammad and Ali.
“Their family have been notified and are continuing to be supported by a specially trained officer.
“Our thoughts and condolences remain with them and their friends at this incredibly distressing time.”
A 15-year-old boy, who is their cousin, managed to swim to the shore and is being treated in hospital.
All three teenagers are from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire.
Police have thanked those involved in the search and “everyone who sent kind words and offered to help the search”.
Emergency services, including coastguard rescue teams from Lytham and Fleetwood, had been deployed along with a coastguard search and rescue helicopter, following a 999 call on Saturday evening.
They were joined by RNLI lifeboats from Lytham St Annes and Blackpool, as well as independent rescue service Southport Lifeboat.
Police said they searched well into the night.
A police helicopter joined the search on Sunday, HM Coastguard said.
:: Anyone with any information that could help the search is urged to call 101 quoting reference 1398 of 15 August.
(c) Sky News 2020: Lytham St Annes teenagers missing in sea: Two bodies found off Lancashire coast
