A Moray teenager has died after attempting to swim across the River Findhorn in an incident that sparked a major search operation.
Police said 19-year-old Matthew Crosbie never made it to the other side after he got into difficulties on Saturday.
His body was found by members of the search team at Findhorn Bay at 9am yesterday morning.
Mr Crosbie, who lived in Forres, had posted a message on a social networking site to say how much he was looking forward to his trip to the beauty spot Randolph’s Leap.
Temperatures reached 13C in the area on Saturday, but the river was said to be in spate after days of heavy rain.
Police were called to Randolph’s Leap, about eight miles south of Forres, at 4.05pm on Saturday after reports that Mr Crosbie had got into trouble in the water.
An operation was mounted to find the teen involving the coastguard, a search and rescue helicopter from RAF Lossiemouth, fire and rescue crews and specialist police teams.
Mr Crosbie, who worked at Joanna’s nightclub in Elgin, had also expressed his excitement about visiting the river in a message posted online last Tuesday.
On a social media site he said he was “looking forward to warmer days to go to Randolph’s Leap”.
Mr Crosbie, originally from Paisley in Renfrewshire, studied sports and fitness at Moray College.
Forres residents yesterday expressed their shock at the news.
One neighbour in the town’s Birkenhillock Road, who did not wish to be named, said: “Matthew was always a really nice guy, just a normal teenager looking forward to his future.
“It’s very tragic.”
Another added: “He took the time to speak to my wee boy a lot, my son couldn’t speak highly enough of him.
“It says a lot about Matthew that younger children thought so much of him.”
Elaine Buchanan, a barmaid at the Carlton Hotel, said the teenager had a pleasant demeanour.
She said: “Matthew came in here sometimes with his friends and he was always a nice, polite boy.
“The year he was in at school was really close, so this has hit them hard.”
Schoolmate Rhiann Duncan said: “Matthew was really kind and always bubbly.
“He was good to everyone he met.”
Mr Crosbie’s family did not want to comment when contacted yesterday.
Police yesterday stressed the dangers of swimming and playing in rivers.
Inspector Paul McCruden said: “I would like to remind the public of the significant dangers posed by rivers.
“Especially in the aftermath of rainfall, the currents are very strong and unpredictable – and the water is often very deep.
“It can also be deceptively cold and there may be objects under the water that are hazardous.
“You can get swept away very quickly.
“Our firm advice is ‘do not be tempted’ regardless of how strong a swimmer you are. Do not jump in or swim.”
Forres councillor George Alexander said: “The river is very high at the moment with the rain we had, and the snow from Inverness melting.
“The river is extremely dangerous when it is in this state of spate.
“This is a wholly tragic incident, you can only feel for his parents and his family.
“A lot of young people his age will be badly affected.”
A 39-year-old man died after plunging into the river at Randolph’s Leap two years ago.
He lost his footing and fell from a ledge during a visit to the beauty spot.