A north-east taxi driver who was found dead near a north-east fishing village three days after he was reported missing has been described as a “friendly, hard working chap”.
Robert Stevenson was last seen driving his blue Dacia Duster on Thursday afternoon.
A taxi, along with a body police are yet to formally identify, were found close to the B9031 Dubford to New Aberdour road near Pennan at around 10pm on Sunday. Officers have informed Mr Stevenson’s family.
A section of the route was closed off to traffic yesterday morning. A police spokesman said: “This is to allow for recovery of the vehicle and a collision investigation.
“Police can confirm that as part of efforts to trace missing man Robert Stevenson, 65, of Portsoy, his taxi, a blue Dacia Duster has been found.
“The body of a man has also been found. He is yet to be formally identified but the family of Mr Stevenson have been updated.
“Members of the public are thanked for their assistance.”
Last night Banff councillor John Cox, who has used Mr Stevenson’s taxi service, described him as a hard-working and friendly local man.
“What I enjoyed was Robert’s humorous comments online,” Mr Cox said. “He had a very good sense of humour, this is just devastating news.
“Our thoughts are with his friends and family and loved ones at what is such a sad time.”
Mr Cox added: “He was a very pleasant and hard-working chap. I’m devastated.”
The local lifeboat volunteers were involved in the search for Mr Stevenson after he was reported missing on Thursday.
Hamish Partridge, operations manager of Fraserburgh lifeboat, said: “UK Coast guard requested assistance from the lifeboat to aid in police searches for Mr Stevenson. Fraserburgh Lifeboat searched the coast line around the Pennan area until being stood down.”
It is believed Mr Stevenson was last seen driving his taxi at around 4pm on Thursday at the Dubford Crossroads near Gardenstown, travelling in the direction of Pennan.
Detectives urged local drivers to check dashcam footage during their investigation into Mr Stevenson’s disappearance.
Officers also appealed to local hotel and B&B owners and handed out posters in the area in an effort to jog people’s memories.
