Missing boy search scaled down

Kyle had not been wearing a life-jacket

The search for a boy who has been missing since he and a friend capsized in a rowing boat is being scaled down.

Kyle Moore and his friend, both 14 and from Portland, Dorset, stole the small rowing boat in the early hours.

They called for help as they were swept out to sea. The boat continued to drift and then capsized. One boy was rescued.

The coastguard said the search for Kyle would continue, but be scaled down overnight because weather conditions were expected to get worse.

Jim Anderson, from Dorset Coastguard, said: "There is a possibility that he may be hurt or unconscious on the shoreline somewhere, particularly on the break-waters of Portland Harbour.

"To that extent we are continuing the search overnight, albeit on a reduced status."

Clearly there is a possibility that for one reason or another he is on land and has not come to our notice Supt Darren Curtis

A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesperson said the boys had made a 999 call at about 0200 GMT saying they had taken a boat and were out in Portland Harbour.

"They were laughing and joking," the spokesperson said.

"About 45 minutes later things took a turn for the worst. The boat seemed to capsize and they were thrown into the water."

Kyle's friend, who has not been named, was plucked from the sea by the RNLI lifeboat at about 0300 GMT.

He was taken to hospital and is now recovering at home with his family.

Lee Fisher, coastguard rescue co-ordination manager, said the search for Kyle would continue throughout the night, focusing on the 40-square mile shoreline between Portland Harbour and Ringstead.

Mr Fisher said: "They (Kyle's parents) are still hopeful because there is still a search and rescue operation on-going. That's obviously bringing some hope to their predicament."

He said Kyle, who had not been wearing a life-jacket, would not have survived more than half an hour in the freezing water and "treacherous" weather.

But rescuers were still hopeful the teenager had made it safely to shore.

Supt Darren Curtis, of Dorset Police, said: "Clearly there is a possibility that for one reason or another he is on land and has not come to our notice."

The oars of the small boat, believed to have been taken from the beach at Castletown in Portland, have been found.

A full land and sea search will resume on Monday.