A 46-YEAR-OLD man was still missing yesterday (Tues- day, August 28) after a nightime search along the lower River Wye failed to find him at the weekend.

Gloucestershire Police say they are concerned for the welfare of Jeremy Stent who was reported missing from Tutshill, near Chepstow, last Friday (August 24) night and is considered to be in a vulnerable state of mind.

He was last seen in Wyebank Road heading towards Beachley Road shortly before 9.30pm, and a search operation involving Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA), Gloucestershire Police and Chepstow Coastguard was launched shortly before midnight.

A post by SARA’s Beachley station on Saturday evening said they had spent “a long night” searching for the missing man with assistance from Newport and Tewkesbury stations which continued next morning.

“The SARA Beachley lifeboat, land search and rope rescue teams were all called out just before midnight last night, to support Gloucestershire Constabulary and Chepstow Coastguard searching for a missing person in the Chepstow area,” said a spokesman.

“SARA Lifeboat 3 conducted a search of the lower River Wye, while the land team was joined by colleagues from SARA Tewkesbury and Newport stations, and conducted a series of searches before being stood down at 4.30am.

“The search resu-med this morning (Saturday) at 9am, with some of the same team members involved.

“SARA Lifeboat 1 was deployed and the crew searched along the Wye, going ashore several times. Again a land search team operated in parallel. The SARA volunteers were all stood down by 1pm.

“The situation is still ongoing; our thoughts are with the families and friends of the man concerned.”

A police spokeswoman said Mr Stent, who formerly lived in the United States, is described as a slimwhite man, 5ft 8ins tall with dark hair. When last seen he was wearing blue jeans, a rust-coloured T-shirt and a blue cardigan.

Anyone who sees him or knows where he is should call Gloucestershire Police on 101 quoting incident 432 of 24 August.

They can also give information through the Missing People charity on 116 000 or find out more information at www.missingpeople.org.uk/police