A large number of emergency services remain in Chester this afternoon, following reports of a person falling into the River Dee near Handbridge on Tuesday.

On Tuesday 3 March at around 4.20pm, police received reports of a person who had been seen in the river, near to Lower Park Road, Chester.

Police, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and other emergency services attended the incident - with two fire engines from Chester, alongside one each from Powey Lane, Ellesmere Port, Warrington and Knutsford at the scene.

These were supported by a technical rescue unit, two rescue boats and an aerial ladder platform.

Water rescue trained firefighters used boats to enter the river to attempt to find a potential casualty. With crews unable to locate a casualty, fire and rescue resources were withdrawn from the scene and the incident was handed over to police.

Today (Wednesday 4 March), officers remain at the scene, with a team of emergency services continuing to search the area - including Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Underwater Search Team.

Members of the public have been asked by Cheshire Police to avoid the area while emergency services work at the scene. 

Anyone with information should contact Cheshire Police on 101 quoting IML 2281730.

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A spokesperson for Cheshire Police said: "At around 4.20pm on Tuesday 3 March, police were called to reports that a person had been seen in the river near to Lower Park Road, Chester.

 "Officers remain in attendance and are continuing to make a search of the area with assistance from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Underwater Search Team."

A spokesperson for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "At 16:24 on Tuesday 3 March, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and other emergency services responded to reports of a person in the River Dee around Handbridge.

"Two fire engines from Chester, and one fire engine each from Powey Lane, Ellesmere Port, Warrington, and Knutsford attended the scene. These were supported by a technical rescue unit, two rescue boats and an aerial ladder platform.

"Water rescue trained firefighters used the boats to enter the river to attempt to find a potential casualty. Despite a thorough search, crews could not locate a casualty and it was decided to withdraw fire and rescue resources from the scene. The incident was then handed over to police colleagues."