A large-scale search and rescue operation is continuing north of Perth for a 32-year-old man who disappeared while snorkelling off Ledge Point.
Search Operation Intensifies
The man was reported missing on Thursday afternoon, about 3pm, after he failed to surface from a dive. The alarm was raised, triggering an immediate response from emergency services. The search was suspended overnight due to fading light but resumed at first light on Friday with significantly increased resources.
Authorities have deployed a multi-agency response to scour the coastal area. PolAir is conducting aerial sweeps, while two vessels from Lancelin Volunteer Marine Sea Rescue are on the water. Police divers have been called in to search beneath the surface, and rescue teams are using jetskis to cover the ocean near Lancelin.
Land and Sea Scoured
In addition to the marine focus, police are also conducting thorough searches along nearby beaches. Every possible avenue is being explored to locate the missing man.
During the initial aerial search on Thursday, an unoccupied tinny was spotted from the air. Police have confirmed they are working to identify the vessel's owner, but it is not yet known if the small boat is connected to the snorkeler's disappearance.
Community Anxiously Awaits News
The incident has cast a pall over the local community and holidaymakers in the popular coastal region. The search highlights the inherent risks associated with water activities, even for experienced individuals. Authorities have not released the name of the missing man, pending notification of his family.
The search continues as emergency services work against the clock. Officials are urging anyone who was in the Ledge Point or Lancelin area on Thursday afternoon and may have seen something to contact police immediately.
