Man last seen leaving hotel in shorts and T-shirt amid Storm Austen vanishes into the sea

Man last seen leaving hotel in shorts and T-shirt amid Storm Austen vanishes into the sea A major search and rescue operation was launched. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments By Lauran O'Toole , Senior Reporter 21:21, Sun, Oct 25, 2026 Updated: 21:35, Sun, Oct 25, 2026 The RNLI were out for nine hours (Image: Getty Images) A man is feared to have been swept out to sea during Storm Austen after CCTV footage showed him leaving a hotel in Devon at lunchtime wearing only shorts and a T-shirt. His disappearance prompted a major search operation in Torbay which emergency crews say spanned nine hours. RNLI Torbay were joined by the coastguard and police in searching the area near Goodrington. The RNLI saw crews launched at around 6.10pm during the first named storm of the 2026/2027 autumn/ winter season and a shoreline search was carried out. A drone was also involved in the emergency effort. Exmouth RNLI say it joined the rescue effort and launched its Shannon lifeboat at 6.35pm to search the water. Wind speeds picked up during the multi-agency operation, with gusts ranging from force five to eight, the lifeboat station said. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT RNLI Torbay battled severe waves during Storm Austen (Image: RNLI Torbay) Get the latest politics news - straight from our team in Westminster and more I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . "Storm Austen’s presence meant the sea state and weather conditions were challenging, severely hampering the ability to spot the casualty in or near the water, and explaining why so many search assets were called upon," Torbay RNLI said. As Storm Austen intensified and conditions deteriorated, Torbay RNLI’s inshore lifeboat was stood down at around 9.10pm after carrying out a second shoreline search and returning to refuel. Searches continued through the night to Hopes Nose, the Mussel Farm and further offshore before concluding at around 2am. The ALB returned to the station by around 3.10am. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Storm Austen meant the weather conditions were particularly challenging (Image: RNLI Torbay) Urgent 'do not eat' warnings issued for supermarket ready meals and snacks The once-booming UK market town now on its knees with 40 closed shops - 'sad to see' A Torbay RNLI spokesperson said: “Later that morning, at 11:45am, Solent Coastguard requested a daylight search at the Roundham. Our volunteer Crew were paged at 11:56am assembled at 12:01pm and launched at 12:10pm. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT “Their search included putting two members ashore to explore the rocks at Roundham. Conditions were still not easy with driving rain, strong West to Northwest winds and turbulent seas. “Nobody was found and the crew were stood down by Solent returning to station by 2:48pm where they made the lifeboat ready for service before heading home to well-deserved lunch.” RNLI say the search for the man is also ongoing. The lifeboat station added they also received a worried call for assistance from a fisherman whose boat had suffered an engine failure. The vessel was tucked into the cliffs near London Bridge, sheltering from the weather. The boat was towed into the harbour. RNLI Devon Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments