Search called off after man swept into sea off Anglesey coast

The search for a man who was swept into the sea in Wales has been called off, police have confirmed.

Gareth Bowen, 46, was reported to have entered the water from rocks in Trearddur Bay, Anglesey on Saturday July 29 shortly after 7pm. A huge search and rescue operation was launched, involving the coastguard, RNLI and police.

Sadly, Gareth's body could not be found, North Wales Police said. As the search came to a close, Gareth’s family expressed their thanks to the agencies involved.

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Gareth’s mother, Lorraine, said: “Our family are extremely grateful for the searches and effort undertaken by all of the agencies involved in the searches to find Gareth since Saturday evening.”

HM Coastguard co-ordinated the response following a report a man had entered the water 7.05pm on Saturday. It said an "extensive operation, including HM Coastguard rope team members going into the water, was conducted in rough sea conditions and strong winds but no one was found".

An HM Coastguard helicopter and RNLI lifeboats from Trearddur Bay were involved in the search, which was resumed on Sunday morning at first light before it was called off shortly before 4pm. Coastguard teams from Cemaes, Holyhead, Moelfre, Penmon and Rhosneigr were also involved.

Andy Hodgson, of the Trearddur Bay lifeboat station, told the PA news agency: “We were told there was somebody fishing, a friend of theirs had called the coastguard to say their colleague, friend had been washed off the rocks.

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"It was quite heavy weather, strong wind and a large swell."

North Wales Police said