EMERGENCY services have confirmed the body of a man last seen in the water near Clacton Pier on Tuesday has been found.

A search and rescue team was called out on Tuesday evening after six people got into difficulty in the water on Tuesday, which was the hottest day of the year.

A major search operation was launched by the emergency services, with Essex Police and the East of England Ambulance Service and Coastguard teams all attending the scene.

Gazette: The search for the man continued throughout the weekThe search for the man continued throughout the week

Parts of Clacton seafront were completely cordoned off by police on Tuesday evening whilst an air ambulance circled the area in a bid to find the missing person.

Tendring Council's Beach Patrol team also offered support.

The search continued into Wednesday, with a lifeboat and emergency workers at the scene from 9am.

Gazette: A lifeboat was also deployed as part of the search, which was scaled down on Wednesday eveningA lifeboat was also deployed as part of the search, which was scaled down on Wednesday evening

Later that day, the coastguard notified the police that the search operation for the missing man was being scaled down.

A statement, released by Essex Police at 10.41am on Saturday, said the body of a man had been recovered in Jaywick.

 

The identity of the man has not been released by the authorities.

An Essex Police spokesman had previously confirmed the missing man was 21 years old.

Alex Porter, Tendring Council cabinet member for leisure and tourism, said everyone’s thoughts at the council were with the family of the victim.

He said: "While formal identification has not yet taken place, we understand this will be an upsetting time for those involved, and our condolences are with them at this difficult time.

"Our thanks must go to the emergency services for their work in this case, and we are continuing to support our Beach Patrol staff who have also helped with this tragic incident."