Body found in search for missing man

A MA N’S body has been washed up on the Mearns coast following the search for a missing angler.

The discovery was made yesterday morning by a member of the public in the St Cyrus area following a five-day search for Fife man Fraser Carrington.

It is believed the body is that of the missing 32-year-old from Dysart, who was last seen near the St Cyrus seafront on Saturday.

Mr Carrington’s relatives are understood to have been left bereft by the tragedy.

The experienced angler had been night-fishing on the coast at the fishing community of Tangle Ha, to the north of St Cyrus, when he disappeared.

It is thought he may have been washed out to sea by a freak wave at high tide in the early hours of Sunday.

He was reported missing by another angler.

Searches led by the Maritime and Coastguard A gency were made after his disappearance but no trace of him was found.

Mr Carrington has fished since his teens and is understood to have been a member of East Fife ShoreA ngling Club in the past.

Ian Napier from the Scottish Federation of Sea A nglers said: “If it happens to be Fraser, at least it will provide some closure for the family — knowing his body has been found. They must have been under a lot of stress during the last week.

“Fraser was an experienced angler and he would have been fully aware of these conditions, and would have fished in these conditions many times.

“But a rogue wave happens every now and then and the power of the sea is enormous. This is a very tragic end.”

Mr Carrington, a worker in the construction industry, is said to have been single. It is not known what safety equipment he was using at the time but it is unusual for sea anglers to wear life jackets.

A police spokeswoman said: “Police Scotland can confirm that the body of a male was found on the shore close to St Cyrus at around 9am by a member of the public.

“Officers attended and inquires are ongoing to establish the full set of circumstances.

“The family of missing person Fraser Carrington, 32, have been informed of the development.

“However, inquiries are ongoing to identify the male recovered as soon as possible,” she said.

“A s with all sudden deaths a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.

“There is nothing to suggest any suspicious circumstances at this time.”

Fraser Carrington.