River search for kayaker missing in Llangynidr, Powys

The man is his thirties got into difficulties shortly before 13:00 GMT and has not been seen since

A search is under way for a kayaker missing in a river in Powys.

The man in his thirties got into difficulty on the River Usk at Llangynidr, near Crickhowell, shortly before 13:00 GMT on Sunday and has not been seen since.

He was with a group of kayakers out in what Dyfed-Powys Police called "difficult and challenging" conditions.

The Welsh Ambulance Service, Brecon Mountain Rescue Team and fire crews have also joined the search.

Initial reports suggested two people were missing, but everyone else in the group has been accounted for, police said.

"A report was received at approx 1pm today that a kayaker had got into difficulty in the River Usk whilst kayaking with a group and had not been seen since," a police spokesman said.

"The missing kayaker is a man in his thirties. His family have been informed.

"The families of the rest of the kayaking group, who are safe and well, have been informed.

"Weather conditions are very difficult and challenging at the scene. All efforts are being made in the ongoing search and rescue operation.

"We advise people to stay away from the scene for their safety due to the conditions."

Mid Wales Fire and Rescue service was called to the River Usk at Llangynidr, near Crickhowell, just after 13:00 GMT on Sunday.

River burst banks

It has launched rescue boats and cordoned off a section of the river with inflatables.

Dyfed-Powys Police, sniffer dogs, the Welsh Ambulance Service and Brecon Mountain Rescue Team have also joined the search.

"We've set a safe systems of work on the river," said a fire service spokesman.

"We've got wading teams and swift water rescues as certain locations.

"Hoses have been inflated on the river as well to catch anyone that comes down."

A worker at the Red Lion pub in Llangynidr said there was a lot of police activity in area and they believed an incident room was being set up at the village hall.

Water levels are high on the River Usk following heavy rain over the weekend.

Earlier on Sunday, the Usk burst its banks at Llanfoist, near Abergavenny.