Search efforts for beloved dad-of-two Matt, 42, from Leeds, have been hampered by weather conditions after he vanished while swimming in North Yorkshire on July 30
The tormented partner of a missing man who was swept out to sea has spoken out on her “living nightmare.”
Michelle Sigsworth’s partner Matt, 42, from Leeds, praised the “great dad” and called on people to “do a little extra” as they walk along Thornwick Bay cliffs, in North Yorkshire. The dad-of-two vanished as he went swimming on Wednesday, July 30, but failed to come back “as the weather suddenly turned.”
The coastguard has not been able to carry out a full search for him due to weather conditions, Michelle said. It comes after a shark attack horror as boy, 7, had his leg shredded in an idyllic bay.
READ MORE: Missing dad’s remains found in house six years after he vanished as two arrestedREAD MORE: Jennifer Lacey missing: Brit vanished from Spain holiday hotspot three days ago
Michelle said: “Because the weather is so rough at the moment, the divers cannot go into some of the caves where he might be.
“They are monitoring the weather but it’s like it’s working against us. That’s the problem we have got. The tide is against us at the moment.
“It’s a living nightmare. I just need people to do a little extra if they on the cliffs and to keep an eye out for him.”
Michelle and Matt met one another in Spain 12 years ago. Matt had been living out there with his parents and Michelle was on holiday. They met in a pub near Alicante, and continued to stay in contact when Michelle returned home.
Matt eventually came to live with her, and they have gone on to have girls Sophia Rose, 11, and Amelia, nine, YorksireLive reports. Michelle, who has a third daughter from a previous relationship, added: “He is a really lovely man. He works really hard for me and the kids.
“He is a brilliant guy who would do anything for the kids. He is absolutely amazing with the girls. He is a brilliant dad, even with my eldest daughter, and he treats her like his own. Everything they needed, he would give, and he worked so hard for them.”
A heartbreaking detail is how much Matt loved the ocean and swimming out in the sea. She said: “He loved being in the ocean, he loved it in that sea.
“He would be in their every day, kayaking, bodyboarding, swimming. He went out for a swim because he absolutely loved it because that’s his happy place.”
Michelle now wants to raise awareness of the dangers about swimming in Thornwick Bay. She said she met a mum and young boy in the day’s following Matt’s disappearance and warned them of the conditions.
“I told her ‘My partner went swimming on Wednesday and has been swept away. Please don’t go in’,” she said. “It’s quite rocky there, and the current is strong. We need more signs at Thornwick Bay.
“It is a lot easier to get into the sea there now that they have extended the path, and there is no lifeguard there. People need to be careful.”
Authorities have since confirmed the search did not locate his body and that it has been stood down. Bridlington Coastguard Rescue Team said: “Our teams always strive to search, rescue, and save. Sadly, despite extensive efforts, the swimmer has not been found. Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones at this very difficult time.”