Teenage boy found safe and well after massive search and rescue operation in Isle of Rum, Scotland (with footage)

A teenage boy, reported missing yesterday evening, has been found alive and well in the Isle of Rum, following a massive search and rescue effort co-ordinated by Police Scotland, UK Coastguard and Mountain Rescue.

The teenager’s family, on holiday from Norway, contacted Police Scotland yesterday (Sunday 10 July 2016) after they became concerned for his safety when he did not return from a late evening walk.

A massive search and rescue operation was launched involving local officers and dog handlers from Police Scotland; Coastguard Rescue Teams from the Isle of Rum, Fort William, Salen and Mallaig;  UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopters from Inverness and Stornoway;  Mountain Rescue Teams from Lochaber and Glencoe; and Mallaig RNLI lifeboat. 

At around 10.30am today (Monday 11 July 2016) the teenager was spotted near the cliffs by a group of kayakers on the North Western side of the Isle of Rum, who in turn alerted a local fishing vessel , and they immediately reported it to the Coastguard.  The Stornoway helicopter airlifted the teenager to Kinloch Castle emergency helicopter landing site, where he was assessed by a hypothermic specialist before being re-united with his parents.

UK Coastguard Duty Controller Angus MacIver said:  ‘We are all absolutely delighted that this young man has been found alive and well.  It is thanks to an excellent team effort by all those involved in the search and rescue and is a testament to the multi-agency training that the emergency services undertakes on a regular basis. 

‘It is important that people make sure they are properly equipped when walking the UK coastlines and mountains.  Make sure your mobile phone is fully charged, wear the appropriate clothing and footwear, and tell someone where you are going and when you’re coming home.  The more information that is available to the Police and the Coastguards, the more concentrated we can make our search efforts.’

Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) footage taken by the UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Stornoway captured during the search.


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