Tragedy as student, 19, is swept to his death in raging river

A TEENAGER has died while swimming in a storm-swollen river.

Matthew Crosbie got into difficulties shortly after entering the River Findhorn, near Forres, Moray.

It is understood the 19-year- old sports and fitness student, pictured, was out with friends when the accident happened.

Emergency services were alerted to the tragedy at Randolph’s Leap, Relugas, near Forres, shortly after 4pm on Saturday.

The river was flowing quickly after a sudden snow melt and the teenager’s body was recovered yesterday morning after an extensive search of the shoreline at Findhorn Bay.

Inspector Paul McCruden of Police Scotland last night warned people not to be fooled by warm spring sunshine as water temperatures remain dangerously cold.

He said: ‘I would like to remind the public of the significant dangers posed by rivers, especially in the aftermath of rainfall.

‘ The currents are very strong and unpredictable and the water is often very deep.

‘It can also be deceptively cold and there may be hazardous underwater objects.’

Last night, Matthew’s mother Lynn Ruickbie, and his younger sister Macy, were being comforted at their home in Forres.

Friend Yolanda Macintosh said yesterday: ‘I have known Matt since primary school and he was always up for a laugh.

‘He had the ability to make everyone smile and was great fun to be around.

‘Everybody loved him because he was always so sociable and nice. I cannot believe what has happened. It is so sad.’

Northern Scotland was hit by torrential rain on Friday and Saturday and the Met Office has warned that gales of up to 80mph could lash exposed parts of western and northern Scotland, as well as the Central Belt, later today.

A yellow ‘be aware’ warning for high winds has been put in place from 9am today until 9am on Tuesday.

Forecaster Craig Snell said: ‘Western and central parts of Scotland are expected to see heavy downpours, with up to eight inches of rain forecast over 36 hours in some parts. Temperatures will return to around average, with highs of 10c (50f).’