Coastguard halts search for person swept out to sea in Largs
A helicopter, plane, lifeboats and coastguard teams searched overnight after large waves struck the Ayrshire coast near Burnlea Road.
The promenade at Largs. File photo. · Photograph: Frombowen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The coastguard has suspended its search for a person reported to have been swept out to sea in Largs during stormy weather.
Emergency services were called to the area around Burnlea Road at about 12.10am on Tuesday, after large waves struck the Ayrshire coast.
Major search
HM Coastguard sent a helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft, along with coastguard rescue teams from Largs and Ardrossan. RNLI lifeboats from Largs and Troon were also launched, and Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service attended.
A coastguard spokesperson said no one was found after an extensive search, and the operation was suspended at about 9am pending any new information.
Police Scotland said it received a report at about 12.12am of concern for an unidentified person in the water near Burnlea Road. The force said a search and rescue operation was launched, but the person remains missing. Inquiries are continuing.
Weekend of storms
Largs was among the worst-hit towns in the west of Scotland during Storm Boelo at the weekend, with heavy flooding along the seafront. A local travel agent described the storm surge as bigger than anyone had ever seen.
The RNLI has repeatedly urged people to take extreme caution near the shoreline during the stormy weather, especially on exposed cliffs, seafronts and piers, warning that waves can knock people off their feet.
A yellow wind warning covering most of Scotland is in place until 9pm on Tuesday.
Anyone with information that may help police is asked to call 101.