Two bodies found in search for brothers who got into difficulty off Lancashire coast

"Whilst they have yet to be formally identified, they are believed to be Muhammad and Ali"
Imogen Braddick17 August 2020

Two bodies have been found during the search for two brothers who got into difficulty off the Fylde coast, Lancashire Police said.

Police were alerted at 6.55pm on Saturday after Muhammad Azhar Shabbir, 18, and Ali Athar Shabbir, 16, from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, went missing close to St Annes Pier in Lytham St Annes.

Their 15-year-old cousin, also from Dewsbury, managed to swim to shore. The youngster, who was not named, remains in hospital.

Lancashire Police said the Coastguard and RNLI found two bodies shortly after 3.15pm on Sunday, a mile away from St Annes Pier.

Muhammad and Ali went missing off the Lancashire coast on Saturday
PA

A statement from the force said: "Whilst they have yet to be formally identified, they are believed to be Muhammad and Ali.

"Their family have been notified and are continuing to be supported by a specially trained officer.

"Our thoughts and condolences remain with them and their friends at this incredibly distressing time.

"Thanks again to our colleagues at HM Coastguard, the RNLI and the National Police Air Service (NPAS) for helping the search to find Muhammad and Ali, as well as everyone who sent kind words and offered to help the search."

HM Coastguard tweeted: “Our thoughts are with Muhammad and Ali’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.”

Coastguard rescue teams from Lytham and Fleetwood and the coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Caernarfon had been part of the operation.