Mystery over identity of man who sparked river search

Police are still trying to identify a man following an incident on the Tay Road Bridge on New Year’s Day.

The force received reports of concern for the man at about 3.40pm on Monday, after he was seen entering the walkway from the Dundee side.

The incident sparked an air and sea search of the River Tay which went on well into the evening.

Both the Broughty Ferry lifeboats were launched, along with coastguard rescue teams from Carnoustie and St Andrews, with a large area between Monifieth and Tayport searched.

However, officers said they are yet to receive reports of a missing man matching the description of the person.

He was said to be in his fifties and wearing a dark, “tammy-style” hat, a large black winter coat, a dark green jumper or shirt, grey jeans and black shoes. He was smoking a cigarette made from a tobacco pouch.

Some have questioned why the river search for the man, who was near the Fife end of the bridge when spotted, took so long to get off the ground.

The bridge was closed to southbound traffic just after 4.15pm but the UK Coastguard did not receive a call to help the force until after 6pm.

One Tayport man, who did not want to be named but was caught up in the traffic, said: “I thought the incident must have been over with but then about 7pm or 8pm my wife heard the search helicopter overhead and it was still flying around a couple of hours later.

“It seems odd there was such a gap between the bridge closing and the helicopter being scrambled.”

Anybody with information should call 101 or speak to any Police officer, reference CR/76/18.

About 7pm or 8pm my wife heard the search helicopter overhead