Submerged car sparks frantic river rescue bid

Tay: Vehicle spotted at Rhynd but no one found in or near car

An underwater car sparked a major rescue effort on the banks of the River Tay last night.

A passer-by raised the alarm when he spotted the submerged vehicle at Rhynd, near Perth. Emergency crews, including a coastguard helicopter and firefighters in an RIB craft, were scrambled to the area.

An hour-long search confirmed that there was nobody in or near the vehicle.

Police believe it may have rolled into the water some time before and efforts are under way to trace its owner.

A major air and sea rescue operation was mounted last night after witnesses saw a car underwater in the River Tay.

Emergency crews were scrambled to a sewage plant near Perth amid fears someone was trapped inside the vehicle.

Firefighters took to the river in a rescue boat to reach the submerged red Renault.

A coastguard helicopter also joined the search.

However, mercy teams were stood down after about an hour when it was confirmed the car was empty.

Locals believe the vehicle may have rolled down the banks several hours earlier, perhaps even the night before.

It is thought the car had been pulled by the current to its resting place, overlooking Walnut Grove.

Efforts are being made to identify the car’s owner.

Several fire appliances were parked at the river’s edge during the operation which was launched shortly before 5pm yesterday.

Coastguard crews, police and paramedics were also called to the scene.

An ambulance accident response unit was on stand-by. Speaking at the scene, Perth-based Inspector David Hynd said: “The car was spotted in the water by a worker and there was concern someone could still have been inside.

“Once the search was under way it quickly became clear that there was nobody in the vehicle. It was secured and we carried out a search in the water around it.

“The coastguard helicopter was called and carried out a search just to be sure.”

Insp Hynd said efforts would be made to recover the car from the river.

Police believe the car entered the water from another part of the riverbank.

Anyone who can help trace the car’s owner has been urged to contact police.

A major search was also launched in Perth after a woman was seen walking on top of Kinnoull Hill.

Police said the woman was in her 40s and was wearing a dark blue and purple waistcoat with a lighter coloured top and brown trousers.

The woman was last been seen around 6.15pm.

Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101.

Picture: Stuart Cowper. Once the search was concluded efforts were made to remove the vehicle from the water.

Pictures: Stuart Cowper. The search was stood down after it became clear there was no one in the vehicle.