Major search for missing man as coastguard and helicopter scrambled

A massive search including the coastguard is continuing for amissing man with his empty car found near a river .

Police, firefighters and coastguard teams are all involved in the operation in and around the River Ribble after George Norwell disappeared over the weekend in Preston. The 77-year-old was last seen in Whittle-le-Woods, Preston, at 9.30am on Saturday.

Lancashire Police officers suspect George drove his blue Ford Focus to the Boulevard area of Preston at around 10.30am. It was later found by a member of the public, close to the River Ribble, however George wasn’t in it.

A coastguard helicopter has been helping carrying out searches in the area along with coastguard rescue teams from Lytham St Annes and Southport. Residents in Preston and South Ribble were awoken in the early hours of Sunday by the helicopter as it circled the area.

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Officers say they are 'extremely worried' but are 'keeping an open mind in relation to George’s potential whereabouts' and urging anyone with immediate sightings to call 999.

He is described as being 5ft 9ins tall, of slim build and with white hair.

George was last seen wearing a maroon tartan padded jacket with fleece lining, a maroon t-shirt and dark pants. He was carrying a cream square shoulder bag with dark brown buckles.

In a statement issued on Sunday night, Preston Police said: "The man pictured is 77-year-old George Norwell, he is missing, and we are extremely worried about him.

"George was last seen in the Swift Close area of Whittle-le-Woods at 9.30am yesterday.

"We, along with George’s family, are becoming increasingly concerned for his welfare. We suspect George drove his blue Ford Focus to the Boulevard area of Preston at around 10.30am.

"The car was later found by a member of the public, close to the River Ribble, however George wasn’t in it. George is 5ft 9, slim and has white hair.

"He was last seen wearing a maroon tartan padded jacket with fleece lining, a maroon t-shirt and dark pants. He was carrying a cream square shoulder bag with dark brown buckles.

"We are working with our partners at Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and HM Coast Guard to locate George and you may have seen an increased emergency service presence in the area. We want to stress that we are keeping an open mind in relation to George’s potential whereabouts and that is why we are asking for anyone who sees him to call 999 straight away.

"George’s family are being kept updated. Anyone with information about George’s whereabouts or saw him yesterday, particularly if that was in the Boulevard area, is asked to call 101 and quote log 1280 of 4th October 2025."