Brian Perry, 75, went missing in the River Conwy on Saturday during Storm Bert – a body has now been found and his family have been informed
A body had been found in the search for a dog walker who went missing during Storm Bert.
Brian Perry, 75, went missing near the River Conwy in north Wales on Saturday. Police had put an appeal out to find Mr Perry after he was last seen at around 4.30pm wearing a red Berghaus waterproof jacket and accompanied by his wife and dog.
He had been walking near Gower Road, which has been affected by severe flooding due to Storm Bert. There has been no formal identification of the body, but Mr Perry’s family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
The police, HM Coastguard helicopter, fire service teams, and volunteers from Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Team and North East Wales Search and Rescue all searched the area last night, but the man was not found. The search resumed this morning.
A spokesperson from North Wales Police said: “A body has been located in the area of Gower Road, Trefiw during the multi-agency search for 75yr old Brian Perry who went missing yesterday. At this stage there has been no formal identification but his family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.”
Chief Inspector Simon Kneale, of North Wales Police, added: “I would like to thank the efforts of all agencies involved in the searches in very difficult conditions and for the local community who supported the teams in the area. Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time and they have asked that their privacy is respected.”
The discovery is believed to be the fourth victim of Storm Bert, which has caused at least three fatal car accidents across the UK this weekend. Homes have also been evacuated in some town cities due to flooding.
A major incident has been declared in South Wales today after dozens of homes, businesses and a number of schools were inundated by rising flood water. Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, South Wales Fire & Rescue, Natural Resources Wales & South Wales Police have declared a major incident for the borough.
The council said “significant” flooding has taken place with the “impact looking to be more significant than the severe impact experienced during Storm Dennis” in 2020. Rest centres have been set up for residents impacted at Pontypridd Library, Ystrad Sports Centre, Sobell Leisure Centre and Cynon Valley Indoor Bowls Centre.
A council spokesperson said: “The severity of the weather has resulted in widespread impact with over 100 properties potentially flooded, both commercial and residential. “Council assets have also been damaged, with Lido Ponty, Park and Dare Theatre and a number of schools impacted. Impacted schools will send out direct communications to families to make them aware.
“There are a number of highways closures, with a landslip on the Bwlch Mountain Road at Nantymoel closing this road, and South Wales Police closing bridges in Pontypridd. The advice to everyone is only travel if absolutely necessary.”
