A MAJOR search was launched yesterday after a vulnerable Moray pensioner went missing from his home.
A police helicopter, an RNLI lifeboat, local coastguards and a specialist search team scoured the Buckie coast for 73-year-old Ian Bramald, who suffers from dementia.
Despite extensive searches along the shore from Portgordon to Portessie, the teams found no trace of him.
Police appealed to Buckie residents last night to check sheds, outbuildings and gardens in case Mr Bramald had taken shelter there.
He was last seen yesterday morning in Barhill Road in the Buckpool area of the town.
The Buckie lifeboat was launched at 1.30pm yesterday and its Y-class inflatable boat searched the coastline until it was stood down just before 3.30pm.
A police helicopter that had flown from Glasgow also swept the Buckie area, but returned to the central belt late in the afternoon.
Local police, supported by coastguards, continued to search the town in their vehicles and carried out door-to-door inquiries on foot.
But as darkness fell last night, there was still no sign of Mr Bramald, who lives at Archibald Court in Buckie. He is described as 5ft 5in with dark hair, which is receding on top.
He was last seen wearing a short, green waterproof jacket, blue corduroy trousers, a cap, a multi-coloured scarf and glasses.
Mr Bramald’s daughter-in-law, Fiona, who lives at Ellon, said last night: “He’s going to be confused because he has Alzheimer’s.
“He used to do a lot of walking across country, so it’s possible he might be walking away from the coast and across fields.
“He’s softly spoken and has a Yorkshire accent.
“He’s from Sheffield originally and is always talking about having to go back there.
“The description the police have given is accurate. If anybody sees someone who matches it, I’d really ask them to contact the police immediately.”
A police spokeswoman said officers were concerned for Mr Bramald’s welfare and were anxious to trace him.
She added: “The public are urged to check their sheds and outbuildings, garages and gardens.
“The Coastguard is still assisting us with the search and has gone along the coast from Portgordon to Buckie.”
Buckie councillor Joe McKay said: “We can only hope that everything is all right and that he will turn up.
“It’s a worry for the family, especially if he has dementia. It is a concern. I just hope that he can be found without any mishap.”
Anybody with any information about Mr Bramald’s whereabouts should contact police on 101.