Back Beach: Strong winds and choppy currents hinder search for David Taylor who went missing off Bunbury coast

Strong winds and choppy currents have hindered WA Police’s desperate search for an elderly swimmer who went missing off the coast of Bunbury more than two days ago.

David Taylor, 70, was reported missing by his partner after failing to return from an early morning swim at Back Beach about 3.30pm on Wednesday.

It is believed he went swimming about 5am, but failed to return.

Emergency services deployed significant resources — including Water Police, Police air wing, Bunbury Marine Rescue and police divers — to search the surrounding waters on Wednesday and Thursday.

On Friday police said wind and ocean conditions made it unsuitable to continue the search in the water.

“Police have focused efforts on patrols of the beach and shoreline from Ocean Drive to Dalyellup,” a police spokesperson said.

The search is scheduled to resume tomorrow morning.

Acting Inspector Jeramy Davies said Mr Taylor’s partner raised the alarm he failed to meet her after his solo swim on Wednesday.

His car is still located in the Back Beach carpark.

“The family have told us his normal routine which is to swim in the vicinity of the surf club, up towards the lighthouse,” Act. Insp. Davies said on Thursday.

“We believe he’s a regular and reasonably strong swimmer and we’re exploring all possibilities as to what’s happened.”

Mr Taylor is described as being caucasian, approximately 177cm tall, with a medium build and short hair.

“We believe he’s a regular and reasonably strong swimmer and we’re exploring all possibilities as to what’s happened,’ Act. Insp. Davies.

Police have asked who may have dash-cam vision of the area along Ocean Drive between Mangles Street, South Bunbury to Clifton Street, Bunbury, from 7am to 9am, to upload it directly to police here.