A large-scale search for a ‘missing’ bodyboarder off the coast of Fraserburgh was sparked by a ‘false alarm with good intent’.
Coastguard teams, RNLI lifeboats, rescue helicopters and police descended on the Broadsea area of the Aberdeenshire coastal town at around 1:20pm yesterday.
They were responding to reports that three surfers/bodyboarders had got into difficulty in the water, with one missing after the others made it safely to shore.
The search was stood down at around 9:15pm and due to resume in the morning, but was called off after the coastguard confirmed that nobody was missing.
An HM Coastguard spokesperson said they were “satisfied that there is no information to say that anybody is missing and nobody has been reported missing either.”
The incident has been recorded as a ‘false alarm with good intent’ and there will be no further coastguard or police involvement.
Last night, locals at the scene said they saw the rescue teams operating ‘in teams of three’ searching around rocks.
An eyewitness said there was a lot of activity from as early as yesterday morning, believing the ‘missing paddleboarders’ had gone out around 9am.
Residents and passersby described the search activity as unusual at this time of year, with one person saying they had been drawn to the coast by the loud noises from the incident.
Concerned Fraserburgh locals gathered at Broadsea during search
One recalled at least 12 coastguard members scouring the Fraserburgh coastline.
She said she had gone out for a walk in the afternoon and had spotted cars driving along the shore to catch a glimpse of the circling helicopters.
A local retail worker added: “This afternoon was crazy with the amount of folk down at the coast.
“Apparently you couldn’t move there were so many people.
“It’s crazy how something like that could happen.”
Police Scotland has been contacted for comment.
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