Police have discovered a body in the search for a man who went missing following a fatal boat accident off the coast of Portsmouth last week. The body was found on Tuesday morning, five days after the incident near Tipner on Thursday night.
The collision involved a private inflatable boat, in which a man in his 60s from Emsworth was pronounced dead at the scene. A second man, in his 50s from West Sussex, was taken to hospital but has since been discharged. Officers had been searching for a third man on board, who remained outstanding.
Formal identification of the recovered body is yet to take place, but next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers. Detective Superintendent Abbie Leeson of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said: “We are aware the community has been both saddened and shocked by this incident and we want to reassure you that our enquiries to establish the full circumstances are ongoing.”
The force is preparing a file for the coroner, and has thanked the public for sharing appeals and assisting with the search. An investigation, involving the Marine Accident Investigation Branch, is under way.
