SEARCH FOR MISSING FRESH WATER ANGLER

Stornoway Coastguard were contacted by local police to search for a retired ferryman aged 71, who went trout fishing late on 21 June 2001 and failed to return to his home.

Donald Macdonald, from Breasclete on the Isle of Lewis went out at just after 5.00 p.m. and parked his car in the Pentland Roads area of moorland on the island - which is known for its lochs and broken terrain.

His wife received a mobile phone call at 23:15 hrs in which her husband sounded breathless and disorientated. Subsequent calls to his phone remained unanswered.

Coastguard Rescue Teams from Ness; Stornoway; Bragar: and Breasclete were tasked to search the moorland and the Stornoway Coastguard helicopter `Mike Uniform’ searched over 9 square miles from the air. The Police and members of the public also aided the search.

Coastguards became increasingly concerned for this man’s safety. He was dressed in jacket and trousers and had no survival equipment with him although fortunately at this time of year the weather was mild and clear.

The man’s car was located fairly early on in the search and that point was being used to expand the search area. The missing man is well known for such fishing trips at the local fresh water lochs and the search concentrated within the moorland, which is very broken.

Coastguards were particularly concerned that his mobile phone remained unanswered when they tried to make contact.