Reports of cries for help from a river provoked a massive emergency response in the countryside.
Fortunately it proved to be a mix-up and nobody was in the River Stinchar between Pinmore and Pinwherry.
Emergency teams assembled on land at Johnny Warrender’s land at Minuntion.
But Portpatrick Coastguard said: “The call was determined to be a false alarm with good intent and all rescue teams stood down.”
They had been called to the scene on Sunday afternoon along with police and fire brigade sending specialist equipment including a rib from Ayr.
Portpatrick, Stranraer, Ballantrae, Girvan and Ayr Coastguard teams all turned out after the alert at 12.17pm.
By 3.30pm it had become evident there was nobody in the river, in spate at the time.
