Hartlepool RNLI called out to assist police with the search for a missing man on the East Durham coast

Teams from Hartlepool RNLI were called shortly before 5am on Thursday, April 15 to assist in the search for Darren Blyth along the East Durham coast.

Darren has not been seen since Wednesday evening (April 14) after he left his home in Trimdon Station at around 7pm – stating he was going to take photographs at Hawthorn Dene.

The 55-year-old was reported missing shortly after midnight on Thursday after he failed to return home and police have revealed that they are “increasingly concerned” for his welfare.

Darren is described as 5ft 10 inches tall, of slim build and with short grey hair, and was last seen wearing a black North Face coat and grey outdoor trousers.

Hartlepool RNLI launched the inshore and all weather lifeboats to help in the search for Darren however they were stood down around three hours later.

A spokesperson for Hartlepool RNLI commented: “Hartlepool RNLI volunteers were paged at 4.37am on Thursday 15th April by Humber Coastguard to assist partner agencies with an incident on the East Durham Coast.

"Both Hartlepool RNLI inshore and all weather lifeboats launched at 4.55am and headed North to commence a search of the assigned area.

"Both boats were eventually stood down from their tasks at 8.15am by Humber Coastguard and returned to the Ferry Road lifeboat station at 8.35am where they were refuelled and made ready for service at 8.50am.”

A Durham Constabulary spokesperson added: “Police are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of Darren Blyth, who has been missing since Wednesday evening (April 14).

"55-year-old Darren left his home in Trimdon Station at around 7pm, stating his intentions to take photographs at Hawthorn Dene.

"He was reported missing shortly after midnight when he did not return home.

”Darren is described as 5ft 10", of slim build and with short grey hair, and was last seen wearing a black North Face coat and grey outdoor trousers.

“Anybody with any information relating to Darren’s whereabouts should contact Durham Police on 101 as soon as possible, quoting reference number 005 of April 15."

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