'Dark day for Lewis' as one fisherman dead and two missing

BySteven McKenzieHighlands and Islands reporter and Alex MorrisonBBC NaidheachdanReporting fromPort of Ness, Isle of Lewis

Updated 33 minutes ago

Police say a body has been found in the search for three men who were onboard a fishing boat that has gone missing off the Western Isles.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said the alarm was raised at about 21:20 on Tuesday when it emerged the boat was overdue from Lewis.

A plane, two helicopters, two lifeboats and volunteers were making searches off the Port of Ness in north Lewis. Police have warned the public not to make their own searches due to bad weather.

Local councillor Kenneth Macleod said it was a "very dark day" for islanders, and their thoughts were with the families of the three men.

Police Scotland said the man's body was found at about 02:45, but the remaining two men and their boat remained unaccounted for.

The force said extensive searches continued around Port of Ness.

Ch Insp Ross McCartney, local area commander for the Western Isles, said: "We are very aware of the impact that this incident will have on communities across the Outer Hebrides and beyond.

"I would like to reassure people that considerable efforts are ongoing between ourselves and partners to locate the vessel and the two remaining unaccounted for crew members."

He said the families of the three men were being provided with specialist support.

McCartney added: "We know that the local community will be keen to help in any way they can.

"However, conditions are very challenging and I would urge people not to put themselves at any risk. Please do not attempt to carry out searches in areas which put you at risk of harm."

'Very dark day'

The RNLI said Stornoway's all-weather lifeboat was launched at 21:42 on Tuesday to search for the overdue fishing boat.

A spokesperson said: "The search, involving coastguard air and ground assets, was joined by Lochinver RNLI's all-weather lifeboat a short time later and continued into Wednesday morning."

Kenneth Macleod, convener of local authority Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, told BBC Radio Scotland's Lunchtime Live programme: "It is a very dark day for the community of Ness and the community of Lewis in general.

"Our thoughts and condolences are with the families affected.

"We cannot comprehend what the families of the three fishermen are going through at the moment."

Macleod said the search involved coastguard helicopters from Stornoway in Lewis and Shetland, as well as coastguard teams and local boats.

The search has come during warnings of bad weather in the area.

A weather system containing the remnants of Hurricane Isaias is forecast to send gales, heavy rain and a surge of warm air to parts of the UK.

A Met Office yellow warning has been issued for parts of the Highlands and Western Isles with the risk of gusts touching 70mph (113km/h) in places.