Body of a man recovered at Boardhouse Loch

Police have confirmed that the body of a man has been found by the shore of the Boardhouse Loch, in Birsay.

A second missing fisherman has not been traced and searches of the area surrounding the loch are continuing.

The boat used by the men was also found and recovered a short distance from the body.

The alarm was raised around 11.30am this morning, when police were informed that two men, from the Dounby area, had not returned from a fishing trip yesterday.

After police found the men’s Jeep by the loch, a multi-agency search was launched, carried out by police, the fire and rescue service, the Coastguard and members of the local community.

According to police, no further details are being released until the two men’s next of kin are contacted.

Police Inspector Alicen Winston said: “Police enquiries are at an early stage in what appears to be a tragic accident, where one male has died and another remains missing.

“Agencies responding to the report of the missing men have been greatly assisted by members of the local community and I thank them for their assistance with our efforts to trace both men.

“Any person with information they may have which could be relevant should contact police in Kirkwall on 101.”