Search underway for man swept off rocks at Peggys Cove

Coast guard vessels are searching the ocean and RCMP officers are looking along the coastline today for a man who was swept off Peggys Cove.

The Mounties say the man fell in the water at the famous Nova Scotia tourist destination late Saturday evening.

They say a witness heard a man yelling for help.

An RCMP member arrived on the scene and, as he was on the rocks, fell into the water.

The officer managed to get back out of the water with the aid of another officer and fire personnel.

The two officers were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

A spokesman for search and rescue says the search Saturday night was hampered by poor visibility and waves that were four metres high.

Maj. James Simiana said a Sea King helicopter began searching at first light, but was called off the search by the middle of the day.

Maj. Simiana said the man they are searching for is in his 20s.

Police reminded the public that the rocks are dangerous and that other people have slipped off the site near the lighthouse through the years.

The area's rocks are known for their potential danger because of rogue waves that often crash over them.

In June 2009, the RCMP had to rescue a woman who was swept out into the ocean.

At the time, the RCMP said it appeared the woman was standing too close to the water when she fell in.

She was in the water for about 12 minutes before being pulled ashore after rescuers were able to throw a life-preserver to her.

Another man was pulled from the waters near the lighthouse after hurricane Bill.

Visitors have been killed in the past after standing too close to the edge.

One man's car and wallet were found in the parking lot next to the landmark in 2002.

His mother asked the court to declare her missing son dead in 2004.

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