A SEARCH operation was mounted by police on Monday after it was feared a person had been swept away by the swollen River Otter.
A SEARCH operation was mounted by police on Monday after it was feared a person had been swept away by the swollen River Otter.
The police helicopter, Sidmouth's Neighbourhood Team and the Exmouth PACT team carried out the hunt after a person walking along the river at Harpford saw an abandoned surfboard floating in the water.
Officers searched the area and found the board wedged in a tree downstream but no sign of a person and the thermal imaging camera used by the helicopter showed nothing suspicious.
Sergeant Andy Turner, of Sidmouth Police, said: "After an extensive search of the area, we were happy that no one had been washed overboard.
"I would like to praise the quick thinking person who called us. If there was someone in the river they could have been rescued very quickly thanks to this person."
Police are appealing for the owner of the surfboard to get in contact and officers can tell them where it is located along the river. Ring 08452 777444 quoting log number 484.
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