Coastguard rescue helicopter scrambled to unsuccessful search for man in Loch Ken

Searches of a loch in Dumfries and Galloway are to take place over the coming days following reports a man got into difficulty in the water.

HM Coastguard mobilised a rescue helicopter alongside colleagues from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and Police Scotland in an operation to locate the missing man at Loch Ken Holiday Park on Sunday.

Emergency responders – including lifeboat teams from Nith – spent hours searching the nine-mile long body of water without success.

The SFRS mobilised two water resources and two fire engines to the scene to assist in the search, while the Scottish Ambulance Service also attended.

It is to resume on Monday, a Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed.

“Around 4.45pm on Sunday, June 18, we received a report of man in difficulty in the water at Loch Ken,” they added.

“Emergency services attended and a search was carried out with no result. Further searches will take place over the coming days.”

Officers were unable to confirm whether the search had become a recovery operation.

A coastguard spokesperson added: “The search and rescue helicopter from Prestwick assisted after a report of a man in difficulty in the water of Loch Ken.

“The alarm was raised at about 5pm, with Coastguard Rescue Teams sent from Kirkcudbright and Portling.

“The Coastguard teams were released from the search by 10.10pm.”