A BODY was found in Loch Ken this week following a three-day search.
Emergency services were first alerted to the incident at 4.45 pm on Sunday evening after receiving reports of a missing 28-year-old man who went swimming in the loch, near the old viaduct at Parton, whilst visiting the beauty spot with friends.
Although the man’s identity has not yet been released by police, it has been widely reported that he was from Cumbria.
The multi-agency search commenced on Sunday evening and included teams from Nith Inshore Rescue, Galloway Mountain Rescue Water Team, Water Rescue teams from Scottish Fire and Rescue and the HM Coastguard.
But it was not until Tuesday afternoon that his body was discovered.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A body was found in Loch Ken around 1.50 pm on Tuesday, 20 June, 2023, following a search for a man seen in difficulty on Sunday, 18 June, 2023.
“His next of kin have been informed but formal identification has still to take place.
“The death is not believed to be suspicious and a report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal in due course.”
In a statement posted online yesterday, a spokesperson for the Loch Ken Trust said: “Everyone at Loch Ken Trust is devastated by the recent tragic news. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those involved.
“We would like to thank all of the emergency services and other agencies that were involved in responding to the incident.”