A walker has died after a major search operation, with rescue teams wading across a deep flowing river in the Highlands.
The 67-year-old, who has not been named, was discovered near Luib Chonnal bothy on the Braeroy Estate in Lochaber at about 11am today.
Nineteen members of Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team had searched for five hours after being called out in “atrocious” conditions at 9pm last night.
A search involving the MRT and the Inverness-based Coastguard rescue helicopter resumed around 9am yesterday.
The man had been holidaying in the area and had stayed in the bothy.
“We know he had stayed there because he had written in the visitors book. His rucksack was separated from him, but was found by one of the estate stalkers, who raised the alarm,” said John Stevenson, leader of Lochaber MRT.
“He was found by workers near the bothy. Between ourselves and the helicopter he was airlifted out.
“The previous night’s search was in atrocious conditions. The river was so high and it rained hard. People need to take care at the moment – even the little burns are running high. It was so bad the helicopter could not search last night.”
A spokesman for Police Scotland said: “Around 2.50pm on Wednesday, police were contacted after a bag was found in a remote location near to Creag a Chail, Roy Bridge.
“Officers carried out inquiries to establish the owner and extensive searches were carried out to trace the 67 year-old man. Police were assisted by local mountain rescue team, Coastguard and local estate workers during the search.
“Around 11.05am on Thursday, the body of a man was recovered. A post mortem will take place in due course to establish the exact cause of death, however there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and a full report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.”
