Flint Coastguard officers joined multi agency operation on Saturday after reports a man fell from Runcorn bridge

Volunteers From Flint Coastguard joined a multi agency operation after reports a man fell from the Silver Jubilee bridge in Runcorn into the Manchester Ship Canal at around 4.35am on Saturday morning.

The Flint based rescue team were paged by Holyhead Coastguard Operation Centre along with Liverpool and Crosby Coastguard, Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team and Rescue 936, the Caernarfon based search and rescue helicopter.

They joined Cheshire Police, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and North West Ambulance Service officers in a two and a half hour search around the bridge.

Picture: Flint Coastguard Rescue Team / Facebook

A Cheshire Police spokesman said:

“Officers swiftly attended the scene and tried to speak to the man, who was on the wrong side of the bridge.

“Shortly after their arrival and despite the efforts of all those in attendance, the man has fallen from the bridge.

“Extensive enquiries are ongoing in the local area – including air support and the underwater search team – in a bid to locate him.”

Cheshire Police confirmed today that the man who went into the water is a 25 year old from Widnes.

It’s reported that police, including underwater teams are still searching the area for the man.

It was the seventh call out of the year for the volunteer Coastguard team from Flint.

Picture: Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team / Facebook