Major search launched after person reportedly falls in Aberdeen river

A major search operation was launched in Aberdeen this evening, amid reports a person had fallen into the River Don.

Emergency services were called to Seaton Park in the Bridge of Don area of the city at around 7.20pm.

Police, including sniffer dogs, coastguard and Aberdeen lifeboat were at the scene for an hour and a half, while a search of the area was carried out.

Search teams combed the river area, which runs along the edge of the park, but could not find anyone.

The search was stood down at around 8.45pm when it became clear there were no signs of anybody in the water or injured nearby.

A witness who lives in the Don Street area, said: “There was a lot of police and coastguard activity in and around the Brig O’Balgownie.

“There were dog handlers sniffing around as well at the higher branch of the river.

“They were there just as it started to go dark, and stayed for over an hour.”

A police spokesman confirmed the teams had initially believed there was a person in the water.

The spokesman said: “We got a call suggesting that someone had fallen into the river but nothing turned up, so the search was stood down.”