UK alert on treacherous beach ends as swimmer turns up safe

LONDON – British emergency services have called off the search for a missing swimmer on the same treacherous beach where five men drowned days ago — after the swimmer telephoned to say she was fine.

A coast guard helicopter, three Royal National Lifeboat Association vessels and police units were involved in Sunday’s search along Camber Sands, 70 miles (110 kilometres) southeast of London.

Sussex Police says a beach official raised the alert after seeing a woman swim into choppy waters but not return after 40 minutes. Hours later, the woman telephoned emergency services to confirm she was alive.

Authorities have been on alert since five friends aged 19 to 27 drowned Wednesday at Camber Sands while playing soccer. The area features strong rip tides and surprising depths next to shifting sandbars.