The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Man’s body found after river search
NORTH ESK: Rescuers raced to scene, but could not save him
The body of a man was recovered from the River North Esk on the border of Angus and Aberdeenshire yesterday afternoon.
Emergency services rushed to the river near Marykirk shortly after 2pm following reports of concern for a person in the water. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service appliances from Montrose and Brechin were part of the emergency response.
Sadly, Police Scotland confirmed a short time later that the body of a male had been recovered from the water.
The victim’s identity has not been released but police said there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.
In May, the body of an angler was recovered from the North Esk at Craigo, downstream from the scene of yesterday’s tragedy, after the fisherman got into difficulties due to strong currents.
death is being treated as unexplained and inquiries are ongoing
A man has died after getting into difficulty in the River North Esk yesterday afternoon.
Emergency services rushed to the scene near the village of Marykirk shortly after 2pm following reports of a person in the water.
Police Scotland confirmed just a few hours later that the body of a male had been recovered from the water.
The identity of the victim will not be confirmed until next of kin have been informed and no further details have been released at this stage.
However, although the death has been described as “unexplained”, police said it is not being treated as suspicious.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service crews from Brechin and Montrose were called to the incident, which happened near the Canterland fishing hut on a picturesque stretch of the river popular with salmon fishermen.
A specialist water rescue unit also arrived on scene from Aberdeen’s Central Station to help retrieve the body from the river.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Police, along with other emergency services, were called to the River North Esk in relation to concern for a man in the water.
“Sadly he was pronounced dead at the scene.
“His next of kin have been advised. “The death is being treated as unexplained and inquiries are ongoing.”
The spot, near the border between Aberdeenshire and Angus, is a favourite among anglers but is also close to another part of the river hit by tragedy earlier this year.
A full-scale emergency response was scrambled after an angler got into difficulties while wading near Craigo at the beginning of May.
It is thought he was caught out by strong currents resulting from a period of heavy rain in the days leading up to the incident.
At this stage it is not known if the victim of yesterday’s tragedy was also a fisherman, and whether or not he was local to the area.
Residents in Marykirk said they were unaware of the dramatic events which unfolded during the afternoon,
The River North Esk enters the North Sea four miles north of Montrose, and forms the boundary between Angus and Aberdeenshire at certain stages in its course.
The Canterland beat on the stretch of the river where the alarm was raised is described as one of the most productive beats on the river, which enjoys a worldwide reputation.
Extensive works have been carried out there in recent years.
It is situated around three miles from the sea, with the Morphie beat at its lower end and the Gallery beat at its upper part.