Sea search for father called off

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Alan Watkins, 50, and his son Arun Leon Watkins were reported missing by his wife from their home in south east London on Sunday night.

A yacht returning to shore found a drifting dinghy without anyone on board about a mile off Littlehampton, West Sussex, at 6.40pm on Sunday.

In the 5ft-long dinghy were personal belongings including nappies, a child's armbands, clothes and refreshments, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said. Ten minutes later at 6.50pm, Solent Coastguard received a Mayday call and a 999 call from a second vessel saying they had pulled a young boy from the water.

Medics spent two hours trying to save Arun's life but he died later at Worthing Hospital, West Sussex, as intensive searches continued on the coast for his father. A post-mortem examination on Arun was taking place on Monday afternoon.

Detectives from Sussex Police's major crime branch said they were working on a number of theories to explain the tragedy. Detective Chief Inspector Adam Hibbert said the domestic background would be examined as part of the investigation. And a caravanette registered to Mr Watkins and found on Sunday night in Sea Road, Littlehampton, would also be investigated.

Speaking outside Littlehampton lifeboat station, Mr Hibbert said the boy had on a sunblock suit but was not wearing a buoyancy aid. Asked whether the incident could have been an accident, Mr Hibbert said: "We are working to a number of hypotheses which cater for all eventualities."

Mr Watkins' wife has yet to be fully questioned about the circumstances leading up to the incident. Mr Hibbert said: "We have had to deliver a terrible piece of news to the boy's mum last night and she is having to deal with that.

"At this moment in time, it would be wrong of us to run in and ask her so many questions so quickly in the light of the information she has received."

After Arun was found, a search was launched for anyone else who might have been on board the dinghy. The search on land and sea included a lifeboat, a helicopter and dogs. Sussex Police and ambulance service also joined the teams.