Overview
- Emergency services searched for about 90 minutes after a 2:33 a.m. report of a person in the sea near the RNLI station on the Promenade.
- The response involved police, HM Coastguard, fire and ambulance crews, two helicopters, and RNLI volunteers who launched both inshore lifeboats.
- Lancashire Police arrested Kian King at 3:46 a.m. and, after consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, charged him with causing wasteful employment of police time.
- King, 19, of St Chads Road, Blackpool, has been remanded in custody to appear at Lancaster Magistrates Court.
- HM Coastguard Fleetwood reported laser pen interference during the search and warned it poses serious risks to air crews.