Published at 09:35, Tuesday, 09 October 2012

A man was found dead early yesterday (Tuesday) following a major search in north Cumbria.

George Hetherington, aged 69, was found on the banks of the Eden, near Carlisle, after reports that he had gone missing.

This sparked an operation involving police, coastguard, mountain rescuers and a helicopter. Villagers from Cargo also helped with the search.

The body was found at 2.50am.

The alarm had been raised after Mr Hetherington had failed to turn up at his destination in the Cargo area, to the west of the city, after leaving his King Garth home by foot yesterday.

Police were called at 6.25pm and began inquiries. The Coastguard was contacted at about 9.30pm.

Cargo is close to the river Eden, which flows into the Solway.

A spokesman for the Coastguard said: “Cumbria police called us to Cargo village, near Carlisle, to a report of a missing male.”

Lifeboat crews from Annan, Burgh by Sands and Maryport as well as the Maryport inshore rescue boat were called out.

A helicopter from RAF Boulmer in the north east was also drafted in to help as were mountain rescue volunteers.

The Coastguard said an “extensive search” was carried out but nobody was found. The rescue teams were stood down at 1.25am.

Mr Hetherington was found just short of 90 minutes later on a bank on a bend of the river Eden. It is understood a farmer made the discovery.

Firefighters were also involved in the operation and British Transport Police had been made aware.

House to house inquiries were carried out by police in the Cargo area while the search was underway.

A police spokeswoman confirmed there are no suspicious circumstances and the case has been passed to the coroner.

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk