Fears for teacher at top school who plunged into sea from 100ft cliffs
A ‘MUCH-LOVED’ teacher is feared dead after plunging into the sea while cliff climbing.
Owain Bristow was reported missing on Friday evening after falling into the water at the Bullers of Buchan area, near Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.
The alarm was raised by other rock climbers at the cliffs, which are up to around 100ft high.
Despite the initial efforts of Coastguards and lifeboat crews, no trace of the 34-year-old head of biology at Robert Gordon’s College in Aberdeen was found.
A rescue helicopter joined the search operation, along with police using drones and officers from the force’s specialist dive and marine unit.
Inspector Andy Scott of Ellon police station said: ‘We have been carrying out extensive searches of the area, sadly so far without success. We have been keeping Owain’s family informed throughout.
‘I would like to take the opportunity to thank our partner agencies for their support in the search. Anyone who believes they may be able to help our search is asked to call Police Scotland.’ Mr Bristow was an avid outdoor sports enthusiast. A keen runner, he won several cross-country races during his time studying at Cambridge University.
A spokesman for Cambridge University Hare and Hounds running club said: ‘After completing
‘Spent much spare time climbing’
his natural sciences course, Owain continued straight into the Cambridge postgraduate certificate in education, going on to become a successful and popular teacher, first in Edinburgh and later Aberdeen.
‘Five years ago he was appointed head of biology at Robert Gordon’s College, where Owain took pride in sharing his love of the natural sciences with his pupils and colleagues, and where he is remembered as a much-loved teacher.
‘Owain spent much of his spare time climbing mountains and scaling rock faces. He enjoyed the ruggedness of the outdoors with a similar verve to when tackling a hard, long run.
‘Our sincere condolences go to his family and friends. When social distancing rules allow, we wish to hold a run in his honour.’
A spokesman for Robert Gordon’s College (RGC) – where fees are up to £13,640 a year – said: ‘The Robert Gordon’s community is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic climbing accident near
Bullers of Buchan involving Mr Owain Bristow, head of biology. During his time at RGC, Mr Bristow inspired many of our pupils, staff and former pupils.
‘The college is coming to terms with this devastating news and he will be greatly missed by us all.’
In a letter to parents, RGC head Robin Macpherson said: ‘For everyone at the school this has been a great shock and we are slowly coming to terms with this devastating news.
‘As part of the process of staff and pupils coming to terms with this profoundly upsetting news, we feel it is not feasible to run a normal school day.’
He said he had passed on condolences ‘on behalf of everyone in the Gordon’s community’ to Mr Bristow’s close family.