Body found in search for man who fell from CalMac ferry

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 25 Oct, 14:02 · Archive

A body has been found on a Scottish beach during the search for Jim Wither, 82, who fell overboard from a CalMac ferry to Arran on 18 October.

A body has been found on Largs beach during searches for Jim Wither, an 82-year-old pensioner from Johnstone in Renfrewshire who fell overboard from a CalMac ferry to Arran. The body was discovered on Sunday, 25 October, a week after Wither was last seen walking towards Beith Road at around 12.18pm on 18 October. Police Scotland said the family have been informed, though formal identification has yet to take place.

Following police inquiries, it was established that Wither may have entered the water after boarding the MV Caledonian Isles travelling from Ardrossan to Arran on the day of his disappearance. An extensive search was launched that evening, with two coastguard helicopters and a rescue aeroplane deployed, along with rescue teams from Arran, Ayr, Ardrossan and Greenock. RNLI lifeboats from Girvan and Campbeltown were also deployed.

Police Scotland said in a statement: 'The death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal in due course.' CalMac said the crew from the Caledonian Isles assisted police and HM Coastguard with the investigation.

How it is being reported

• Body found on Scottish beach in search for man who 'fell from' CalMac ferryA BODY believed to be that of an 82-year-old man who went missing after potentially falling from a CalMac ferry has been found on a Scottish beach.The National · 25 Oct, 13:21
• Body found on beach during searches for OAP who fell overboard CalMac ferry to ArranJim Wither, 82, was reported missing from Johnstone in Renfrewshire on Sunday, October 18.Daily Record · 25 Oct, 13:04

In this story: Jim Wither · Caledonian MacBrayne · Arran · Ardrossan · Johnstone · Largs · Police Scotland

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