The search for an 89-year-old Easington man has continued across multiple days, with extensive support from emergency services and local volunteers – including a major deployment from HM Coastguard teams across the region.
Malcolm Curtis was last seen at around 8.15am on Wednesday, June 4, walking west along Hull Road in Easington. Since then, police, Coastguard, lifeboat crews, search dogs and aerial support have all been working tirelessly to trace his whereabouts, with officers urging residents to continue checking gardens, outbuildings and CCTV footage.
Inspector Will Knapp of Humberside Police said: “We have been conducting extensive lines of inquiry since Malcolm left his home address. These have included reviewing hours of CCTV, doorbell footage, conducting house-to-house inquiries and searching rural locations with support from search specialists, scent dogs and the underwater search unit.
“We are growing increasingly concerned for Malcolm’s welfare and are appealing to anyone who may have seen him – particularly pedestrians or motorists along Hull Road between 8am and 9.30am on Wednesday – to please get in touch.”
Police also released CCTV footage showing Malcolm walking along Westfield Close shortly after 8am that morning. He is described as being around 5ft 8in with grey hair, and was last seen wearing a grey gilet with brown trousers and carrying a walking stick.
Behind the scenes, HM Coastguard teams from Withernsea, Hornsea and Hull have played a vital role in the operation. On the day of the initial report, Coastguard officers, tasked by the operations centre in Bridlington, worked alongside police to co-ordinate a detailed search of gardens, tracks, drains and open ground in the area where Malcolm was last seen.
Deputy station officer Ann Bell, from the Withernsea Coastguard, explained that rescue officers – all highly trained volunteers – had spent at least 12 hours on the first day covering areas in and around Easington, and a further 10 hours the next day alongside colleagues from Scarborough Coastguard.
The combined effort has so far included searching estuary embankments from Welwick to Kilnsea, the breach at Spurn Point, local caravan parks and access points to the coast and lagoons.
The Coastguard also requested lifeboat support from both Withernsea and Cleethorpes RNLI. Withernsea’s inshore lifeboat crew launched within minutes to complete a sweep from Easington to the tip of Spurn Point and back, while Cleethorpes crews searched the western estuary shoreline, though an ebbing tide made access challenging.
Also involved were police on foot, patrol vehicles, off-road motorbikes, NPAS helicopter support, drones and specialist K-9 dog search teams, who provided tracking beyond human capability and worked until last light.
Ann Bell added: “The work of HM Coastguard and coastal rescue teams is vital to the safety of our coastal communities. Though the role often goes unrecognised, our officers are trained to a high standard, ready to respond at a moment’s notice – often after already completing a full day at their regular jobs.
“Each coastal rescue officer is trained in search and rescue to a high level and we train on this discipline regularly. We have excellent tech and the appropriate equipment for exactly such a job, which is one reason why the police request us in such incidents, even when the area is further inland.
“The Withernsea team has had around 40 taskings so far this year and that number is expected to double by the end of 2025. The Hornsea team receive about 100 taskings a year. It is a service that relies on the support of families, friends and employers to enable officers to drop everything and respond immediately.”
Ann also praised the local community for their support during the operation: “The assistance from Easington residents made a huge difference. From offering refreshments to opening up the community hall, the hospitality shown to all search teams was incredibly appreciated.”
Anyone with information or footage that may assist the investigation is urged to call 101 quoting log 177 of June 4.