A full-scale search of an Argyll loch continued last night in the search for a young man missing after the boat he was in capsized on Saturday afternoon.
Two of the missing man’s friends were rescued after being winched by helicopter on Saturday afternoon from an island in the Loch.
The men aged 23 and 27, who have not been named by police, were taken to Lorn and Islands Hospital, in Oban where they were later discharged.
But the third member of the party, also 23, was still missing last night.
A full scale, land and water search by emergency services and the Coastguard helicopter on Loch Awe took place throughout Sunday to find the missing man.
More than 20 boats and RIBs turned out on Saturday and Sunday to help with the search.
Loch Awe is the third largest fresh water loch in Scotland. Searches have focused on the “top end” of the loch near to Kilchurn Castle and the village of Dalmally.
The small pleasure-type fishing boat, from which it is believed the young men were fishing from, was retrieved from the water near Innishail Island around 3pm on Sunday afternoon, and taken by police to Oban, in the first instance, for forensic examination.
Police are continuing to co-ordinating efforts on the loch to search for the missing man, who is believed to be a visitor to the area.
Mary McPate, who lives on the lochside, said: “It is very sad, and our hearts go out to this young boy and his family – we will never stop hoping he will yet be found.”
Eye witnesses say they saw two men being winched to safety from an island in the loch.
A police spokeswoman said: “About 4.40pm on Saturday afternoon we received a call about a boat capsizing in Loch Awe.
“Police, fire and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency attended following report of a boat in difficulty with three men on board.
“Two men, aged 23 and 27 years, managed to swim to nearby island where they raised the alarm and were rescued and taken by ambulance to Oban Hospital. Both men have now been discharged from hospital.
“The multi-agency search for the third man, aged 23 years, which involves specialist police search teams and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, continued throughout Sunday.
“Inquiries in to the circumstances surrounding the incident are continuing.”
A Coastguard spokeswoman said: “HM Coastguard are assisting the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland with in responding to a capsized boat with three people on board near Inshail Island, Loch Awe.
“Two people were reported to have got themselves to safety, but a third was unaccounted for.
“Oban and Inveraray Coastguard Rescue Teams, Appin Inshore Rescue Team and HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Inverness have been sent to the scene to assist in carrying out a search for the missing person, along with Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
“The two other people are in the care of the police.”
