Search called of for English tourist Glen Sanderson, 31, last seen swimming at Curl Curl Beach

THE family of an English tourist missing in sea off Sydney’s northern beaches say they’re devastated, but are still clinging to hope.

THE family of an English tourist missing in sea off Sydney’s northern beaches say they are devastated but are still clinging to hope he is alive.

Glen Sanderson, 31, disappeared while he was swimming alone about 100m off Curl Curl Beach on Saturday night, his last full day before he returned home.

Mr Sanderson wasn’t a strong swimmer and his friends immediately raised the alarm. Police combed the area with divers and helicopters, and jetboats but found no sign of him.

An uncle of Mr Sanderson’s told the The Mirror the family “hadn’t heard anything. We are just waiting for the phone to ring.”

He said Mr Sanderson was “always smiling, a bubbly person” and a good footballer.”

The family were coping as best they could. “Very devastated would be a good way to put it.”

Mr Sanderson had been in Australia for a week and had posted pictures of his travel on his Instagram account. The last picture he posted was the surf lifesaving flags at Curl Curl Beach with the caption “”S’alright is Australia”. He had previously told friends that the beach made the trip worthwhile.

Police said the search had been called but they would continue to make inquiries about his disappearance

Originally published as Search called of for English tourist Glen Sanderson, 31, last seen swimming at Curl Curl Beach