Body found in search for missing fisherman

Kirkcudbright lifeboat was involved in the search Credit: RNLI

A body has been found during a search for a missing fisherman.

An extensive search by a coastguard helicopter and lifeboats sparked by the discovery of a fishing boat with no-one on board has now been stood down.

Police Scotland say the body of a man has been located on land in the vicinity of Cairnhead Farm, Isle of Whithorn.

The death is being treated as unexplained at this stage and enquiries are presently underway, a spokesman said.

The search had begun last night after a report of a boat close to a reef was received around 11.15pm at the Isle of Whithorn.

A coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Prestwick, along with a coastguard rescue team and lifeboats Kirkcudbright and Port William were all involved in the overnight search.

A yacht had reported seeing a boat matching the description earlier in the evening around 7.30pm. There was one man on board at the time.

A spokeswoman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said it believed the man came from Lancashire and had launched his boat from a Land Rover from the harbour nearby.

She said: "The search has been called off and the incident is now being dealt with by Police Scotland."