A body has been found during the search for an 82-year-old man who went missing after reportedly falling overboard from a CalMac ferry travelling to Arran. Jim Wither, from Johnstone in Renfrewshire, was reported missing on Sunday, October 18, prompting an extensive search operation after police inquiries suggested he may have entered the water.
Discovery in Largs Beach Area
Police Scotland has confirmed that a man's body was discovered in the Largs beach area on Sunday, October 25. Formal identification has yet to take place, but Jim's family have been informed. The death is not being treated as suspicious.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "On Sunday, October 25, we received a report of the body of a man having been found in the Largs beach area. Formal identification is yet to take place, however the family of 82-year-old Jim Wither, who was reported missing from Johnstone, have been informed."
Search Operation Details
It is believed Jim boarded a ferry travelling from Ardrossan to the Isle of Arran on the day he disappeared. An extensive search was launched last weekend after Jim was reported missing, involving two coastguard helicopters and a rescue aeroplane.
Rescue teams from Arran, Ayr, Ardrossan and Greenock were also involved in the operation, alongside RNLI lifeboats from Girvan and Campbeltown. Despite the efforts of emergency crews, no one was found during the initial searches.
The Police Scotland spokesperson added: "The death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal in due course."
CalMac Assistance
Last week, a spokesperson for Caledonian MacBrayne said: "CalMac and the crew from MV Caledonian Isles are assisting Police Scotland and HM Coastguard with an ongoing enquiry regarding a missing person."
