Body found in search for missing dogwalker feared swept away in Storm Bert floods

A BODY has been found in the search for a missing dog walker who police feared had been swept away in floodwater.

Brian Perry, 75, vanished near Trefriw as flood waters rose in the River Conwy, North Wales, on Saturday night.

An urgent search was launched for him after concerned family raised the alarm.

North Wales Police joined efforts with a HM Coastguard helicopter, fire service teams, volunteers from Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Team, and NEWSAR.

Their search continued this morning.

A spokesperson for 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.”

Local residents have expressed their condolences in heartfelt tributes.

“So sad, thoughts are with his family and all involved in this search,” wrote one.

Another added: “Devastating news, terrible for his family and friends, thoughts go out to everyone involved at this very sad time.”

“Thoughts go out to this person’s family at this awful time,” shared someone else.

It comes as a major incident has been declared in South Wales amid flooding sparked by Storm Bert.

Locals in Pontypridd awoke to find their front gardens underwater and cars completely submerged on the street.

Persistent rainfall overnight saw the River Taff burst its banks and cause chaos in the town.

A major incident has now been declared across several parts of South Wales due to the rapid floodwater. 

Businesses have also been affected, including those on Mill Street in Pontypridd.

Fire rescue services are helping residents navigate the dangers and pump water from out of Sion Street.

Devastatingly this is the second time in four years the street has experienced major flooding.

The local community have banded together and are passing out food and drinks to the emergency workers.

Floodwaters have been reported in several towns, including Pontypridd, Ebbw Vale and Aberdare, while more than 100 alerts are in place.

A railway line is also underwater in the Cynon Valley, as Cwmbach train station is completely submerged.

A Met Office yellow weather warning for rain covers:

• Blaenau Gwent
• Bridgend
• Caerphilly
• Cardiff
• Merthyr Tydfil
• Monmouthshire
• Neath Port Talbot
• Newport
• Powys
• Rhondda Cynon Taf
• Swansea
• Torfaen
• Vale of Glamorgan

Meanwhile in in Cymmer, South Wales, shocking pictures show the destruction yet another landslide has inflicted.

This comes after five children and five adults had to be rescued from a similar natural disaster yesterday.

All ten people were thankfully saved from the house in North Wales.

Photographs shared by Cymmer Fire Station today reveal debris strewn across parts of the A4106, blocking a car. 

A spokesperson said: “Crews are currently on scene at a landslide A4106 Bwlch Road from Treorchy to Nantymoel. This road is will be closed until further notice.”

Elsewhere, a mum watched in horror as her 11-month-old baby became trapped inside a car sinking in raging floodwaters.

The baby’s dad, Andre Randles, had to rescue his son when his Volkswagen hatchback became submerged in West Yorkshire.

Storm Bert tragically claimed its first life on Saturday after a tree fell on a car.

A man in his 60s died in Hampshire just before 8.00am after the horror.

It comes as the chaos rages on into a second day.

As the Atlantic brings warmer temperatures, snow that covered the north of England and much of Scotland yesterday is melting.

This has sparked 66 red flood warnings in England, meaning flooding is expected, with the Environment Agency warning business owners should “act now”.

Meanwhile, there are more than 200 areas where flooding is possible.