Live updates as search continues for 14-year-old boy missing after swimming in River Mersey

Our reporter arrived on scene at Crosby Beach.

We will continue to provide updates on the ongoing search for the missing 14-year-old boy.

A coastguard plane is currently flying over the River Mersey in search of the 14-year-old boy.

A screenshot from Flight Radar shows where the plane flew over this morning.

Merseyside Police issued a statement last night regarding the incident at Crosby Beach.

A police spokesman said: “Shortly after 7pm, emergency services received a report of concern for the safety of a 14-year-old boy who had gone swimming in the River Mersey near the radar tower with a group of friends. His friends had gotten out of the river but had become separated from him and he has not been seen since.

“The incident is ongoing and Crosby Beach near the radar tower has been cordoned off. We are asking people to avoid the area at this time while emergency services including the Coastguard and North West Ambulance Service continue to search for the missing boy. »

We have not received any updates on the searches overnight, but we will continue to monitor the situation and find out the latest news as soon as possible this morning.

Keep following for updates.

Sefton Council said in a statement: “Police are asking people to avoid the area at this time while emergency services including the Coastguard and North West Ambulance Service continue to search for the missing boy.”

Darkness fell over the search area – this was the scene at half past ten:

This is the latest on the scene at Crosby Beach following the disturbing news that a 14-year-old boy went missing after swimming in the water earlier.

Here's the latest from Dan at Crosby Beach tonight

Search continues for 14-year-old boy

Most searches take place near the radio tower on the beach.

More Dan at the beach. This is a massive emergency services presence – and more are stationed elsewhere on the beach.

This video gives an idea of ​​the scale of the emergency response on the beach as they search for a 14-year-old boy who was swimming in the river.

Here is the full statement we received from Merseyside Police regarding tonight's incident:

We can confirm that emergency services are responding to an incident in Waterloo this evening, Sunday 30 June.

Shortly after 7pm, emergency services received a call about a 14-year-old boy who had gone swimming in the River Mersey, near the radar tower, with a group of friends. His friends had gotten out of the river but had become separated from him and he has not been seen since.

The incident is ongoing and Crosby Beach, located near the radar tower, has been cordoned off. We are asking people to avoid the area at this time while emergency services including the Coastguard and North West Ambulance Service continue to search for the missing boy.

We have just received confirmation from Merseyside Police that they are looking for a 14-year-old boy who was swimming in the River Mersey.

It's unclear exactly what happened on the beach tonight, but there is clearly concern for someone's safety.

We expect a full statement from the police soon.

Dan reported that a Coast Guard helicopter was patrolling above the beach.

Our reporter Dan Haygarth traveled to Crosby Beach where emergency services are present this evening.

Good evening.

We are reporting live on a breaking scene on Crosby Beach this evening.

Emergency services, including a coastguard helicopter, are deployed in force on the beach.