A massive search continued today on Loch Ness for a man who fell in the water on Thursday evening.
It is believed the man had been answering a call of nature aboard a yacht, cruelly named Miss Adventure.
His friend dived into the freezing waters of Loch Ness to try and rescue his pal.
But he also got into trouble and had to be pulled from the water by rescuers while others began a desperate search for his companion.
They were two of a party of four Polish nationals – two of them women – who had gone to enjoy a day sailing from the yacht’s berth on Dores beach, nine miles from Inverness.
The missing man is believed to be aged 34.
The initial search went on until fading light defeated the emergency services, including police, fire brigade, Loch Ness RNLI lifeboat, the coastguard, its helicopter and a host of volunteers.
It resumed first thing this morning, with the Police Scotland Dive and Marine Unit in attendance.
One local said: “We heard he had gone for a pee and fell overboard.
“His mate dived in to save him but the other chap went under very quickly. I don’t think he was wearing a life-jacket.”
The year round temperature of the country’s deepest loch is 5 degrees centigrade, cramp could quickly set in and drag a person under.
A police investigation has begun and it is likely a fatal accident inquiry will be held. It is unclear whether the boat was owned by one of the party or if it had been rented.
Following the drama, the boat was tied up at Temple Pier near the Loch Ness RNLI lifeboat station, having being towed there by the lifeboat.
The search area was also extended further up the loch, to Urquhart Bay.
Loch Ness lifeboat operations manager Joanna Stebbings said: “On Thursday our volunteer crew were paged by the coastguard to assist with the search for a man missing overboard in Loch Ness.
“Our crew continues to assist colleagues in the coastguard and police with the ongoing search in Loch Ness.
“Our thoughts are very much with the friends and family of the missing man.”
Inspector Nick Macrae, of Inverness Burnett Road Police Station, said: “Police were called around 6.50pm on Thursday, July 9, following a report two men had fallen from a boat into Loch Ness near Dores Bay.
“One man was rescued from the water and conveyed to hospital as a precaution.
“Emergency services, including the Police Scotland Dive and Marine Unit, are in attendance and are currently carrying out a search of the area for the second man.”
Meanwhile, the Dores Inn on the shores of Loch Ness announced it would not open today.
A notice read: “We are extremely sorry to disappoint but unfortunately due to a very tragic incident we have decided we will not be opening. We are deeply saddened and our thoughts are with everyone involved.”
The Inn’s toilets remain open and staff have been supplying emergency services with hot drinks.
