Specialist diving teams searched a Moray waterway yesterday as the hunt for a missing dementia sufferer continued into its third day.
Hopes were fading last night for 73-year-old Ian Bramald, who has disappeared from his Buckie home.
Mr Bramald was last seen at around 9am on Wednesday, crossing the A98 Fochabers-Buckie road towards Arradoul.
Police officers have been overwhelmed by the number of local people who have come forward to help out.
Around 70 members of the public gathered in the town to join line searches across fields.
Yesterday, a specialist marine and dive unit focused their efforts on the Buckie Burn west of Drybridge. Police and search and rescue dogs scoured the area alongside the police mountain rescue team and a Sea King helicopter from RAF Lossiemouth.
Chief Inspector Willie Findlay said yesterday: “We have looked at the south area behind Arradoul from what we believe to be a positive sighting. We are looking at similar terrain and geography, but slightly to the west.
“The first night he was missing it was quite a mild night by February standards, but last night was frosty. We can only hope that if he had managed to get shelter it’s been enough to keep him warm. As time goes on, concerns are growing.” Chf Insp Findlay added: “We are keen to hear from any motorists who may have been travelling on the A98 at Arradoul at the time of the last sighting. A lot of lorries have CCTV so it would be great to check their cameras.
“Although this is a positive sighting there is nothing to say he hasn’t gone there and then doubled back.”
Mr Bramald is described as 5ft 10ins to 6ft in height, with brown hair which is greying and receding on top. He also has a similarly coloured moustache. When he was last seen he was wearing a short, green waterproof jacket, blue corduroy trousers, a cap, a multi-coloured scarf, and glasses.
Anyone with information should call police on 101.