Urgent search launched for man who vanished while paddleboarding
Emergency services were called to the scene on Saturday evening to reports of a man who had been paddleboarding on Loch Ore Meadows in Lochgelly, Fife, and who had not returned to shore
An urgent search is underway after a paddleboarder disappeared in a Scottish Loch, sparking a major emergency response.
Rescue teams descended on Loch Ore Meadows Country Park in Lochgelly around 5.25pm on Saturday following reports of a missing male who had been out on the water. A full-scale operation involving Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Services, Scottish Ambulance Services, and HM Coastguard has been launched, with extensive searches being conducted.
Authorities are continuing their investigation and have urged the public to steer clear of the area for the time being. Dramatic images from the scene show rescue teams arriving with a lifeboat and conducting searches across the loch's surface.
A search helicopter was also spotted overhead, aiding in the efforts to locate the missing individual, reports the Daily Record.
A spokesperson for Police Scotland confirmed: "Around 5.25pm on Saturday, 28 June, 2025 we were called to Loch Ore Meadows, Lochgelly after receiving a report of concern for a male who had been paddle boarding. Emergency services, including the Coastguard, are in attendance and extensive searches are being carried out. Enquiries are ongoing and we would ask people to please avoid the area if possible."
In a tragic update from last month, a body was retrieved from the water after a swimmer went missing. The emergency call came in at about 9pm on Saturday May 10, prompting an immediate response at Loch Ard.
Divers, marine units, mountain rescue teams, and air support units were all involved in the thorough search efforts. Tragically, a 42 year old man's body was retrieved from the water after an extensive search operation. His family has been informed of the heartbreaking discovery.
Authorities have indicated that there appears to be nothing suspicious about the incident. A photo released by Loch Ard Adventure Centre captured the moment emergency services were on site last month, aiding in the search efforts.
Police Scotland will be submitting a report to the procurator fiscal shortly. A spokesperson for Police Scotland confirmed: "The body of a 42-year-old man has been recovered following searches to trace a man who was last seen swimming in the water at Loch Ard.
"Police received a report around 9pm on Saturday, May 10, 2025, and extensive searches were carried out by the dive and marine unit along with the Mountain Rescue Team and air support unit. Early afternoon on Sunday, May 11, the man's body was recovered. His next of kin have been made aware. There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and a report to the Procurator Fiscal will be sent in due course."
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