Search resumes for boy, 14, who vanished on dive with father

The search for a missing 14-year-old diver resumed today after a major rescue operation was called off last night.

The teenager, who has not been identified, apparently surfaced with no problems while diving with his father - but then vanished from sight.

Police said the boy had surfaced shortly after his father off the coast at Berry Head, Brixham, Devon, and was seen slightly tilted backwards as though his jacket was inflated, was buoyant and 'in no apparent signs of distress'.

The father then had difficulty starting up his boat engine and hailed a passing charter boat, the Jennifer Ann, for assistance.

A spokesman said: 'Having surfaced there appear to have been problems trying to start the small RIB (rigid inflatable boat) and the father subsequently called for help from a passing charter boat who came to assist.

'It is at this point that all parties lost sight of the young boy.'

A Mayday signal was sent by Rick Parker, a diver and skipper of the charter vessel, because the father's boat had no VHF radio.

Mr Parker, 44, of Torquay, Devon, who had ten divers on his boat, immediately started searching for the boy.

He said: 'I was taking customers on a diving trip when I saw the small craft and a man waving his arms.

'This is the international sign for distress and I went over. He had become separated from his partner who he told me was his son.

'There were two other females and a male on the boat and I believe they were all a family on holiday.

'I put out a Mayday and began cruising around looking for the boy. The father was obviously very upset and frantic.

'He was later airlifted off my boat and we searched until about 7pm when it got dark.'

After the alarm was raised, the Coastguard was immediately informed and began a land-and-sea search involving several of lifeboat vessels and helicopters.

Lifeboats from Salcombe, Torbay and Teignmouth were involved in the search, which began after the alarm was raised at about 1.15pm yesterday.

An RAF rescue helicopter from Chivenor, north Devon, as well as the coastguard helicopter, also took part.

A specialist police diving unit was deployed to the scene where the boy was last seen.

Conditions at the time of his disappearance were described as 'reasonable'.

The police spokesman said searches were called off last night at 9pm as darkness fell.

He said: 'The family are currently receiving care and support from a police family liaison officer.

Both the boy and his father are experienced divers certified by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, he added.

Brixham Coastguard was starting a search from Hope's Nose to Berry Head this morning.