Helicopter search for person in trouble in the Tay finds nothing

Emergency services were called to investigate a mystery incident in the River Tay at Perth on Monday afternoon.

Officers on foot as well as search and rescue dogs scoured the length of Tay Street and a coastguard helicopter was scrambled to search after a GPS location beacon, as can be carried by hillwalkers and canoeists, was detected.

Despite a major search of the water from above and of the riverbank conducted on foot near the city centre towards Moncreiffe Island no person in trouble was found and the crews left the area around 5pm.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were made aware of a personal emergency beacon activated in an area close to the River Tay in Perth around 2.30pm on Monday, June 21.

Emergency services in Tay Street, Perth investigate (Perthshire Advertiser)

“A thorough search of the area has been carried out by officers working with partners from HM Coastguard and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

“Nothing has been found and we have no reports raising concern for any people in the area.

After the SOS beacon was noted a major search was made around the banks of the river (Perthshire Advertiser)

“It is possible this was a false alarm but further enquiries will be carried out to establish the full circumstances.

“Anybody with any information or concerns can call 101, quoting incident 1798 of June 21.”