The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
ARBROATH: Search fails to find 18-year-old after tragic plunge Cliff-fall teenager presumed dead
18-year-old was out walking with his family when tragedy struck
A teenager is presumed dead after a family walk turned to tragedy when he plunged from an Angus clifftop.
The 18-year-old’s family watched in horror as he fell into the water below Arbroath cliffs on Saturday afternoon around 1pm.
An intensive search was carried out involving the coastguard rescue helicopter from Prestwick, four coastguard rescue teams and RNLI lifeboats from Montrose and Arbroath.
The search was stood down on Saturday evening and resumed yesterday but the coastguard suspended its “active search and rescue operation” mid-morning. It is understood the teenager and his family are from Dundee.
A teenage boy is feared to have died after plunging from an Angus cliff during a family stroll in the sun.
The search for the 18-year-old was extended further up the coastline yesterday but has so far failed to find any trace of him.
The teenager fell over the edge at Arbroath cliffs and into the water below while he was out walking with the rest of his family at around 1pm on Saturday afternoon.
Coastguard rescue teams from Arbroath, Montrose and Carnoustie were immediately scrambled along with both Arbroath lifeboats and the coastguard rescue helicopter from Prestwick.
An immediate search was carried out of the area before additional coastguard rescue teams from Stonehaven and St Andrews were requested to join the search along with boats from RNLI Montrose.
Distraught members of the teenager’s family were taken from the scene by police to the lifeboat station at Arbroath to wait for news.
Police declined to comment on suggestions the teenager suffered from learning difficulties.
The massive emergency operation brought a large crowd of people to Victoria Park, where many people spoke of their shock at the tragedy.
Pensioner Sandra Hughes from Dundee said: “All my life I’ve never seen anything like this before.
“It was a lovely day and it’s absolutely terrible what’s happened.”
An intensive and detailed search of all areas was performed from the land, air and sea before the search was stood down for the night to ensure the safety of all personnel involved in the operation.
The search resumed at first light yesterday before HM Coastguard suspended the “active search and rescue operation” mid-morning after nothing was found.
The lifeboats returned to the station and the cordon at the cliffs was lifted around 10.30am while teams local to the area continued to search.
It is understood the missing teenager and his family are from Dundee.
Arbroath councillor Donald Morrison said: “My thoughts are with the family at this extremely distressing time.
“A huge thanks goes to the tireless efforts of the volunteers and multi agencies who continue the search.”
A spokesman for Arbroath lifeboat said: “After two days of searching now, both Arbroath lifeboats have been stood down and returned to station.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the missing person.
“It’s never a good feeling coming back to station with no closure after a search for a person.”
Police Scotland Chief Inspector David McIntosh said the search parameters
It’s never a good feeling coming back to station with no closure
will be widened to extend the operation further up and down the coastline.
He said: “We remain in close contact with his family at this very difficult time.
“Anyone with information should contact police on 101.”
A spokeswoman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: “The search was suspended during the hours of darkness and resumed on Sunday morning with nothing found.
“The incident has been handed over to Police Scotland.
“After this length of time, HM Coastguard will not resume an active search and rescue operation but units may be involved in humanitarian search activities.”