Mystery over a swimmer who went missing from Trigg Beach on Tuesday has deepened, with police conceding they still do not know who they are looking for.
Authorities on Thursday confirmed there had been no sign of the unknown swimmer since Tuesday afternoon’s report of a person in trouble about 100 metres from the shore.
Police have been searching land and sea from Swanbourne to Sorrento, but have not found any trace of the swimmer, nor items left behind on the beach or even an abandoned vehicle. Nor has anyone come forward to report a missing friend or family member.
Inspector Julie Foley said it was likely the search would be scaled back tonight without any new information. But as part of a fresh public appeal for information, Inspector Foley said they believe the swimmer was a man in his 20s or 30s with dark hair.
“At this stage, we believe we’ve exhausted all of our opportunities with regards to land and sea searching,” she said. “We don’t have any items of interest that may nominate a person of interest, nor have we located any items at sea. We do intend to seek information from the public that may give us further advice with regards to that land and sea searching areas, but at this stage it will be scaled back.”
Police say the troubled swimmer was not seen getting out of the water, and was never seen by first responders. Inspector Foley said the man himself may have got himself out of trouble and urged him to let them know, if that was the case.
The ongoing search involved mounted police, police aircraft, marine rescue and surf lifesavers. While weather conditions had been favourable for the first day of searching, cloud cover and rain limited visibility on Thursday.
Inspector Foley urged anyone else with information to come forward. “Mirrabooka Police are urging anyone that might have information to contact police on 131 444 if you have attended Trigg Beach on Tuesday and perhaps found yourself in distress but have self rescued and got yourself safely back to shore, please contact police,” she said. “We’re appealing for anyone that may have witnessed the incident also to come forward, please contact police.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police immediately on 131 444.
