A COASTGUARD search for a Scottish teenager feared to have drowned while on holiday in Wales has been called off without the 14-year-old being found.
Police say they have now taken over the hunt for Hollie McClymont, from Glasgow, and that they are conducting a missing persons inquiry.
Hollie has not been seen since last Sunday after swimming in the sea off Barry Island, South Wales.
Coastguards have said they had "exhausted" their efforts in trying to find the St Thomas Aquinas Secondary school pupil and said the investigation was now being headed by the police.
Police said the search operation was continuing and the hunt would be focused along the coastline. A South Wales Police spokesman said: "Specialist search teams will continue their efforts on foot and at sea.
"Although the Coastguards' role in the search has now been scaled down, they are still on standby and we would of course call on their services if required."
Hollie had gone to South Wales with her mother Sarah and other relatives for a holiday. A cousin said they were "sick with worry".
The major search operation was sparked just after 3.45pm on Sunday after she had been seen in the waters off Whitmore Bay – whose tides local people have described as dangerous.
Police have confirmed the incident was first reported to a community support officer an hour after Hollie was last seen. Swansea Coastguard rescue manager Steve Jones said: "If you see someone in difficulty in the water, you should call 999 and ask for the Coastguard immediately. Any delay means vital search and rescue time is lost.
"Occasionally, the Coastguard receives false alarms when somebody who appears to be in difficulty does not need help, but we would rather you call 999 if you are genuinely concerned."
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