Following a request on Friday afternoon the 17th October from our colleagues at Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team, for the specialist services of our canoe/kayak search unit our team was able to confirm the availability of three members for Saturday 18th October.

Assembling today at circa 10:00 at Clayton-le-Moors, team canoeists and kayakers Geoff Seddon (our Deputy Leader), Ged Clarke and Matthew Hailwood were tasked with a search of the bankside margins of a 19km section of the Leeds / Liverpool canal.

At the same time team members of the Rossendale & Pendle MRT searched the canal tow paths for anything that would lead to the discovery of a long term male missing from home. The man in his early 40s was last seen on CCTV cameras in Blackburn town centre two weeks ago following his self discharge from Blackburn Hospital following treatment for his third epileptic fit that day. Fears for his safety were heightened after it was discovered that he had taken no medication with him.

Our canoe and kayak search team finished their search at circa 14:30 hrs with a negative result, to return home to the Bolton area. (and for Geoff and Matthew to then get involved in incident 105/2008).

Please note the involvement of the three above Bolton team members took place alongside a large number of other Bolton members being engaged within the Joint Foundation Course. (See separate article).