A MAN is feared drowned after jumping into the River Usk at Newport yesterday evening.

Emergency services were called following a report that a man had leapt into the river over railings by Newport's Wave sculpture at about 6pm.

The fire brigade scrambled two rescue boats from Maindee to search the fast-flowing waters, and the police helicopter was also called out to help with the search.

Speaking from the banks of the Usk, Malpas station officer Stuart Jones told the Argus: "We've got boats coming up from the Transporter Bridge looking for this individual. We had a report that the person stayed above the water for a short while then disappeared under. It is a very high tide and the water is flowing very quickly. Under these conditions and at this temperature no one could survive for long."

Teams with night vision equipment were placed along the river and an extra boat from Barry was brought in.

But hope faded and the search was called off later in the evening.

This morning police and the fire service confirmed they would not be making any further searches for the missing person.

A police spokesman said: "In all likelihood the man is dead by now. It would not be worth searching the river today. It's just a matter of waiting for a body to turn up now."

Police say they have no description of the missing man.

Anyone with further information is urged to call Newport police on 01633 244999.

* In the picture: Sub Officer Tony Devlin, right, with a colleague from Maindee Fire Station.