WIREDGOV

Her Majesty’s Coastguard have suspended the maritime search for missing Shrewsbury kayaker, Elizabeth Ashbee, 53, after she went missing yesterday afternoon in her red kayak. The search in the maritime sector will remain suspended pending any further information whilst the land search and rescue led by North Wales Police will continue.

HM Coastguard and North Wales Police are also issuing a photograph (attached) of Ms Ashbee. The pictured dry suit is not necessarily the one she was wearing yesterday, however, it is believed the kayak (pictured ) was the one being used.

A major search which had been on going for most of yesterday evening resumed at first light for Elizabeth, missing off the coast of Anglesey in north Wales. She was last seen heading through rocks near Rhosneigr at about 2.30 pm Sunday.
She is known to be an experienced kayaker, and had become separated from four colleagues when they hit bad weather.

Ms Ashbee was last seen heading through rocks at Ynys Feurig, or Starvation Island, close to Rhosneigr. An area of up to 60 square miles has been covered in the search.

Barry Priddis, Duty Watch Manager at Holyhead Coastguard said

"After having a significant number of rescue units available to us and having conducted a 26 hour search we have come to the conclusion that we must now suspend our activities pending any further developments or new information becoming available.

We would like to thanks all those marine units who took part including Coastguard teams from Holyhead, Llandwrog, Rhoscolyn and Rhosneigr, the crews of the two lifeboats from Trearddur Bay and crews from RNLI, Porth Dinllaen, Beaumaris and Holyhead, plus air crews from RAF Valley.

Inspector Guy Blackwell of North Wales Police said

"We will now take primacy management of the incident and investigations will continue working closely with HM Coastguard and other emergency rescue services. All close family members are now aware of the situation, and we will remain in constant contact with them."

If any one has any further information on the whereabouts of Ms Ashbee could they contact Holyhead Coastguard on 01407 762051.or North Wales Police on 0845 6071001 or 1002.

Contacts:

Maritime and Coastguard Agency Press Office
Phone: 023 8032 9401
NDS.MCGA@coi.gsi.gov.uk

Mark Clark.
Phone: 023 8032 9414
Mobile: 07711 002678
mark.clark@mcga.gov.uk