Missing student’s family informed of body find

ST ANDREWS: Police yet to identify remains found in sea at town’s West Sands

The family of a missing student have been informed after human remains were recovered from the water in St Andrews near to where he went missing.

It is understood relatives of 19-year-old Duncan Sim, who has not been seen since March, have been told by police about the grim discovery on Sunday.

However, inquiries are at an early stage and the remains have yet to be identified.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “At 6.25pm on Sunday June 3 officers from Fife attended West Sands, St Andrews, after the discovery of what is believed to be human remains were found within the water.

“Inquiries remain ongoing at this time.”

Earlier on Sunday, crowds had descended on West Sands for the annual Chariots of Fire Beach Race.

It is believed a member of the public raised the alarm.

Shortly afterwards, the car park at the West Sands was cordoned off.

The RNLI, Coastguard, Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were all involved in the operation to recover the remains.

West Sands is not far from where Duncan, an undergraduate chemistry student, was last seen having left a social event at Madras Rugby Club in the town’s Old Station Road shortly after 11pm on Wednesday March 14.

Police said he ran off in the direction of Eden Clubhouse on St Andrews Links, where he was spotted on CCTV.

Duncan, who is from the Duns area of the Borders, failed to arrive back at his accommodation at Agnes Blackadder Hall.

Extensive searches of the coastline have been carried out in the hunt for Duncan, with oceanographers brought in to assist the effort.

In April, the officer leading the investigation said there was a possibility that the teenager could have ended up in the sea.

Duncan’s father, Galashiels GP Gordon Sim, was in Portugal when he was told his son had gone missing.

The family travelled to St Andrews to assist the search, supported by students and townsfolk.

Duncan’s friends, from St Andrews and Duns, also boosted the search effort.

arobertson@thecourier.co.uk

Picture: George Mccluskie. Emergency services and members of the public searching for Duncan in the days following his disappearance.

Chemistry student Duncan Sim was last seen on March 14.