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Missing local man safe and well after multi-agency rescue


By Jean Gunn

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The Taylors, Thurso lifeboat.
The Taylors, Thurso lifeboat.

A missing local elderly man, who fell down an embankment near Scrabster beach, is now safe and well after being rescued by members of the Thurso lifeboat crew and the HM Coastguard team.

Thurso RNLI lifeboat, The Taylors, was launched at 12.15pm on Sunday in response to a multi-agency search for the missing man. The lifeboat's inflatable Y boat was also involved in the search which stretched from Scrabster to Thurso Castle and back.

While scanning the shore line with binoculars a lifeboat crew member saw a slight movement half way down a grassy hill near to Scrabster beach. Another crew member with recently obtained night vision heat seeking binoculars confirmed there was body heat present.

Casualty care trained crew members went to the location on board the Y boat, which they beached below the hill. They found the casualty was conscious but not able to move after falling about 50 to 60 feet down a rough grassy slope.

The elderly man was checked over and made comfortable until coastguard personnel descended the hill with a stretcher. He was then taken up the slope by the lifeboat and coastguard team to a waiting ambulance.

Coxswain Gordon Munro said: "We are always a bit apprehensive when attending the report of a missing person but on this occasion the whole crew are delighted with the outcome."

The Taylors returned to Scrabster to be completely cleaned as per Covid requirements and was available for service at 2.50 pm.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We can confirm that a man reported missing in Thurso on Sunday morning was traced on an embankment at Scrabster beach. The man was taken to hospital and is safe and well."


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