Mystery still surrounds how car ended up in Tay

Nobody was in vehicle as separate search goes on for woman up hill

Police are still trying to solve the mystery behind a car entering the River Tay near Perth.

Officers have identified and spoken to the owner of a red Renault that ended up submerged in the water at around 5pm on Tuesday near Walnut Grove, to the east of Friarton Bridge.

A worker from a nearby sewage plant alerted emergency services, sparking a full-scale air and water rescue operation.

This included a coastguard helicopter, a lifeboat crew from Broughty Ferry, Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and an ambulance specialist response team.

The operation lasted almost an hour, with several fire appliances parked at the river’s edge during the search.

Concerns had initially been raised that someone could have been trapped in the car when it entered the Tay but these were dispelled as the search progressed.

Yesterday, a spokesperson for Police Scotland confirmed no one had been in the car when it entered the water but stressed officers were still investigating the circumstances.

“The registered keeper of the vehicle has been traced and has confirmed the car is not stolen,” they said.

“Inquiries into exactly how and when the car ended up in the River Tay are ongoing. The exact circumstances are still being looked at.”

Meanwhile, police confirmed they were continuing their search for a woman last spotted at the top of Kinnoull Hill, Perth.

A helicopter was used in the operation to locate the woman, who was seen near a table at the beauty spot at around 6.15pm on Tuesday.

The woman is described as being approximately 40, 5ft 5in in height and when last seen was wearing a dark blue or purple waistcoat, a light-coloured top underneath and brown trousers.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We are still trying to determine the whereabouts of the woman who was seen at the Kinnoull Hill table.

“Anyone who may have seen this female or knows who she is, should phone the police on 101.”

Picture: Stuart Cowper. The operation to pull the Renault car out of the River Tay near Friarton Bridge. However, how it got there is still a mystery.