Man killed in Loch Lomond jet ski tragedy
● Friends and family pay tribute to ‘top guy’ who was ‘loved by many’
Tributes have been paid to a man who died in a jet ski accident on Loch Lomond.
Stuart Mclevy, 21, was a passenger on the jet ski and fell into the water near the island of Inchmurrin at about 9:15pm on Saturday.
Friends and family have described Mr Mclevy as a “top guy” who was “loved by many”.
Meanwhile, hopes of finding two men who went missing on a speedboat trip off the south-west of Scotland were fading last night after a search failed to find them.
Following the incident at Loch Lomond, the 37-year-old driver of the jet ski tried to help Mr Mclevy from the water before other boats in the area managed to take both men back to shore in Balloch.
They were rushed to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley, where Mr Mclevy, from Hawick Street, in Yoker, Glasgow, died.
The jet ski driver was treated for minor injuries suffered when trying to help Mr Mclevy from the water and has since been released from hospital.
Police Scotland said inquiries were ongoing to determine exactly what happened and officers are appealing for information.
Paying tribute to Mr Mclevy online, Kayleigh Devine said: “So sad – rest easy Stu. You were a top guy and loved by many.”
Rose Halligan said: “So sad. RIP Stuart – thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”
His brother, Jayson Mclevy, has since launched a crowdfunding page to “give Stuart an amazing send-off ”.
Mr Mclevy’s body was formally identified by relatives and a post mortem will be held to establish the exact cause of his death.
A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.
Inspector John Mcmillan said: “One
man has died and another man is receiving treatment following this incident.
“We understand Stuart Mclevy fell from the jet ski and entered the water. The 37-year-old man who was driving also entered the water and attempted to assist.
“Other individuals who were also on the water on private vessels quickly came to the aid of both men and brought them back to shore at the Duncan Mills Memorial Slipway at Balloch, where paramedics could take over.
“At this time I am appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident from the shoreline to contact officers at Dumbarton Police Station via 101. Our inquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding this incident. Any information you have, no matter how small, could greatly assist our inquiry.”
News of Mr Mclevy’s death came as a large-scale sea search continued yesterday after two men went missing on a speedboat trip.
The coastguard was alerted on Saturday evening when the boat was reported overdue from Port Logan, Dumfries and Galloway.
Two helicopters and lifeboats searched the water, following the boat’s known and projected movements, but no trace had been found as darkness fell last night.
Police Scotland said the men, aged 46 and 35, had launched the boat on Saturday morning and were believed to be heading towards Stranraer.
Around ten rescue teams have been involved in the search and returned to the water yesterday.
A coastguard spokeswoman said: “The extensive search covering a carefully planned area based on the vessel’s known and projected movements continued through the night but nothing has been found.”
Police Scotland Inspector Claire Walker said: “We can confirm that Police Scotland is supporting a search operation after a 46-year-old man and a 35-year-old man launched a speedboat at Port Logan with the intention of going on a leisure trip.”