Mystery as two men in their 20s found dead at waterfall
THE bodies of two men have been recovered from close to a beauty spot waterfall after an extensive search.
Emergency services responded following reports of two men in the water at Linn of Tummel, in Perthshire, at around 7pm on Wednesday.
The bodies of the men, aged 22 and 26, were recovered at the waterfall later that evening.
Residents in the nearby town of Pitlochry reported seeing police and fire crews heading to the scene and a search and rescue helicopter ‘hovering’ in the area.
They said the stretch of river attracts white-water rafters throughout the summer due to its fast-flowing currents.
One local said: ‘I don’t know what’s happened, but it is popular with walkers and for kayaking and tubing, and also folk jumping off the rocks.
‘But that’s normally in the better weather. Just now it’s all snow melt and the water is so cold. It’s very sad.’
Another said: ‘It’s not the easiest place to get to. It’s just tragic.’
Linn of Tummel, where the rivers Tummel and Garry meet, is owned by the National Trust for Scotland. The waterfalls are accessed via a tree-covered banking on one side of the river and a walking trail on the other.
Police Scotland yesterday said officers were investigating but there did not appear to be any suspicious circumstances.
It is unclear how the men died, but police confirmed they were not kayaking.
A spokesman said: ‘Inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.’
Derek Heaton of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, which assisted in the recovery of the bodies, said: ‘Our thoughts are with their family and the wider community at this time.’