‘disappearance’sparks massive rescue operation
Bakeries ensure teams don’tgo hungry
stay away from the area and Touch Road was closed off to traffic to allow the teams to search unimpeded.
Police issued multiple appeals for information in a bid to identify any missing persons or aircraft sightings.
And they received an additional report when Cambusbarron woman Wendy Letford phoned to corroborate the earlier sightings – saying she believed she had seen a small aircraft going down in woods close to her home on Cauldhame Crescent.
As the evening went on, and temperatures continued to plummet, police were forced to call off the search at around 11.30pm in difficult conditions – with the plan to resume activity early on Monday morning.
At around 8am ambulance crews, police and mountain rescue, set up a temporary base close to the Touch Business Centre, where they were co-ordinating operations while ground searches were ongoing and search helicopters returned.
Police vehicles and ambulances could be seen regularly travelling through the village and coming and going from the base throughout the morning.
However, as the day went on the theory that there may be no aircraft missing began to gain momentum – and around lunchtime there was serious talk of calling off the search.
After an extensive search revealed no aircraft, the search was formally stood down around 2pm – and emergency crews began to leave the scene.
The Observer understands police believe eyewitnesses may have seen a microlight aircraft simply landing in the area – and contacted authorities believing it to be in trouble. There is believed to be a landing strip, regularly used by microlight pilots, near the wooded area.
Inspector Anton Stephenson from Stirling Police Station paid tribute to those who assisted in the search.
He said: “I would like to thank our colleagues from Killin, Ochils and Lomond Mountain Rescue Teams, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Scottish Ambulance Service who have helped with the comprehensive search.
“We have carried out a number of enquiries and are satisfied that the report was made with good intent.
“I would like to thank those members of the public who supported the teams and those who have contacted us with information to help with our investigations.”
A spokesperson from Ochils Mountain Rescue Team added: “We would like to thank our colleagues at Police Scotland, SAS, Scottish Fire and Rescue, HM Coastguard, SARDA Southern Scotland and our fellow volunteer teams Lomond and Killin MRTs.
Butcher Michael More and Cambusbarron man Ian Robertson organised hot food for the emergency services Hundreds of savoury snacks were supplied to those involved in the search operation courtesy of four communityspirited Stirling bakeries.
More than 60 mountain rescue volunteers supported police and air units as they searched miles of Cambusbarron woodland in freezing temperatures on Sunday evening and Monday morning.
Ambulance crews and the fire service were also called to assist – with a temporary base set up close to the Touch Business Centre.
And all involved were delighted when they were provided with hot food and drinks from Michael R More Butchers in Cambusbarron, Greggs on Port Street, Baynes on Laurencecroft Road and Stephen’s in Causewayhead at around lunchtime on Monday.
Selfless duo Ami McFarlane (30) and her partner Ian Robertson (32) were responsible for arranging the deliveries in a bid to boost morale and provide some much needed warmth for those looking for a mystery microlight.
Ami, who is a care support worker, said:“We would like to thank all the businesses who provided food. I saw that the police had put something out asking the public not to join in the search, so we just thought of a way we could be of some help.
“Michael More Butchers provided 60 steak pies and hot soup while Greggs switched their ovens on and gave us so much. Stephen’s provided 35 hot items and Baynes gave us five bags full.
“We just thought we would phone around, and see what we could do – so we were delighted with the response, and I think they [the emergency services] were really happy to see it arrive.”
A spokesperson for Ochil Mountain Rescue Team was keen to thank the public for their support throughout the search – which lasted almost 24 hours.
has been carried out by helicopter and now ground searches are underway