POLICE divers continued their search yesterday for missing boatman Nicholas Lightowler, who disappeared from his river cruiser four days ago.

They scoured the river bed in the vicinity of a bridge near Overton, north of York, but without success.

Patrols continued to search the banks and undergrowth in the hope of finding Austrian-born Mr Lightowler, a 57-year-old from Crossgates, Leeds.

Mr Lightowler was "test driving" a £180,000 cruiser when it is thought to have hit the bridge, knocking him overboard, last Friday evening.

The boat was found drifting with its engine still running, but so far there has been no sign of its sole crew member.

Yesterday, it emerged that Mr Lightowler may have been shouting or singing before he went overboard.

Solicitor Matthew Smith saw the vessel as he was walking home.

He said: "It appeared to be going at a reasonable speed - a lot faster than the pleasure boats.

"What made me notice was that it was creating a significant wash, which was churning up the river quite badly."

He added: "The wash was causing a splash on the riverbank. As it came closer I could see him. He was shouting at someone or singing."