- Neil Stewart was part of a group from Newcastle on an Amsterdam party boat
- He fell into the Noordzeekanaal at Westzaan at about midnight on Saturday
- Search operation launched immediately but 30-year-old has not been seen since
- The trip is understood to have been organised by Mr Stewart’s loving fiancée
A British man has gone missing after falling from a party boat while on a canal trip near Amsterdam.
Neil Stewart, who was part of a group from Newcastle, fell into the Noordzeekanaal at Westzaan, north of the Dutch capital, at about midnight on Saturday.
A search was immediately launched for the 30-year-old after he fell into the 7C water – but he has not been seen since.
British man Neil Stewart (right, next to a woman believed to be his fiancee) has gone missing after falling from a party boat while on a canal trip near Amsterdam
Mr Stewart was on the vessel with friends travelling from the Dutch capital to IJmuiden when he fell, a police spokesman said.
According to The Sun, his loving fiancée, who is said to have been on board, had organised the surprise trip and he was in the country to celebrate a friend’s engagement.
The boat’s captain was alerted, but Mr Stewart had disappeared beneath the water.
Neil Stewart, who was part of a group from Newcastle, fell into the Noordzeekanaal at Westzaan, north of the Dutch capital, at about midnight on Saturday
Sonar equipment was used during the search which went on until later on Sunday, a police spokesman said.
The spokesman added: ‘Now we are considering how to proceed. We first want to inform the girlfriend and family about the next steps.’
His family is understood to have flown to the Netherlands.