Coastal walker sparks major search

The alarm was raised in the afternoon by a fisherman who had seen a man walking along the shore between Port O’ Warren and Rockcliffe at about 10.30 am.
The man was safe and well when he was last seen but the fisherman became worried when he did not return and alerted the emergency services because of high tide in the mid-afternoon.
Police and coastguards started a search and Coastguard Teams from Portling and Kirkcudbright were called out along with the Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter.
The search was co-ordinated by Belfast Coastguards and when no trace of anyone was found it was called off just before 10 pm last night.
A Coastguard spokesman said no trace of the man had been found and there were no reports of anyone having been reported missing so they took it that the man had arrived safely wherever he was going.
A Police Scotland spokesman said they were keen to hear from anyone who had been in the area at the time and had seen themas walking along the beach from the Portling area.
The spokesman said: “Although the person was safe and well when last seen they were not observed to leave the beach area and Police and Coastguard are keen to ensure the person left the area safely.
“Coastguard carried out a search in the area.”