Police call off marine search for possible distressed swimmer at Denmark’s Ocean Beach

Police have called off a marine search for a possible missing swimmer off the coast of Denmark after they were unable to verify the initial report.

Just after 4pm on Thursday afternoon, a surf lifesaver reported seeing what they believed to be swimmer in distress about 100m off Ocean Beach in Denmark.

Police from the Great Southern District said as the lifesavers paddled out they lost sight of the possible swimmer.

One member of the public returned to the shore a short time later, but they are not believed to be the same person.

A search operation commenced involving a Surf Life Saving WA jet ski, a DFES Marine Rescue Denmark vessel and a police drone but was stopped at nightfall with no confirmed sightings of a person in trouble.

Police made the decision not to recommence the search this morning as they received no reports of a missing person overnight and were not able to verify the initial report.

A police spokesman said there were no belongings left on the beach, all cars in the vicinity were accounted for, and the lifeguard who made the initial report was not certain it was a person.

“Police found no evidence that anyone was missing in the water at this stage, but anyone who believes a loved one is missing should report it to police.,“ the police spokesperson said.

Police would like to speak to anyone who saw someone swimming off Ocean Beach around 4pm and onwards, or from anyone who was swimming that far off the coast and who has since returned home.

In March last year, Denmark embryologist Dr Stephen Junk was praised by police for rescuing three men and retrieving the body of their friend at Greens Pool, near Denmark.

The group of four visitors from Perth got into trouble 70m offshore at the idyllic tourist hotspot in William Bay National Park when Dr Junk saved three of them but the fourth person could not be revived.

In January, Maya Dunkerley, 12, and Samara Dunkerley, 10, were also praised for their part in a successful water rescue of an 80-year-old man and his 83-year-old friend in the Wilson Inlet.

Anyone with information about the possible missing swimmer at Ocean Beach or whose loved one did not return home last night should contact Denmark police by calling 131 444.