Perthshire man was swept into River Tay in front of wife as widespread flooding battered Scotland

A 77-year-old man was swept into a river in front of his wife during the floods, his son has confirmed.

Struan Robertson’s son, Euan, said his father was attempting to clear a hydro-power device on his estate.

His son said Struan lost his footing and fell into the water during heavy rainfall which caused widespread flooding.

The incident happened at Pitcastle Estate in Perthshire which Struan has owned for the past two decades.

Euan Robertson said: “He was trying to clear a hydro intake from the Tay.

“It powers the electricity but it gets clogged up when the water is so high.

“He lost his footing and was swept into the river.

“The current dragged him away.

“I was in Perth at the time.

“My mother was with him when it happened.”

A search was launched on Sunday afternoon after Police received a report about a man seen in the River Tay, near Strathtay.

The operation continued until Tuesday when Police said the search had to be postponed for “safety reasons”.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “Enquiries are continuing to trace the 77-year-old man swept into the River Tay near Strathtay on Sunday, October 8.

“For safety reasons physical searches of the river and the riverbank have been postponed. This is being reviewed on a daily basis and family are aware.”