RIVER SEARCH

Coastguard stand down search for missing Gourock man on Firth of Clyde as Police continue to scour

A FRANTIC search for a dad missing in the Firth of Clyde has been stood down.

The 55-year-old boatsman, known locally as David Wilson, vanished after leaving his car parked at Cardwell Bay in Gourock on Saturday, according to the Daily Record.

And his sons, aged 33 and 36, had to be rescued from the water late on Saturday night after they reportedly “got into problems” during their search for him in a dinghy amid grim weather conditions.

However, Police Scotland have confirmed that they will continue their search along the nearby coastline while HM Coastguard have stopped theirs.

A cops statement read: "Officers in Greenock received reports from the Coastguard of an ongoing incident on the Firth of Clyde near Gourock around 12.10am on Sunday, December 8.

"A 36-year-old man and a 33-year-old man were rescued from the water.

"A 55-year-old man is still missing and the search is continuing."

The two men were taken ashore and checked over by paramedics.

Worried locals spotted a police helicopter scouring the area in the early hours of Sunday morning - and search boats were patrolling the river as they hunt for David.

The hunt was called off just after 3am - but resumed on Sunday afternoon.

However, now, the coastguard have stood down their search for the 55-year-old.

A spokesperson said: "Following a report of two boats in distress on Saturday in the Greenock Bay area,  HM Coastguard together with RNLI, Police Scotland and other local resources responded.

"Two people were rescued but one remains unaccounted for.

"Overnight and again on Sunday 8 December, resources continued to carry out an extensive search of both shorelines in the area up towards the Erskine Bridge but the missing man was not found.

"The decision was taken to terminate the search, pending any further information. Our thoughts are with the family at this time."

A worried pal told the Daily Record he would remain at the scene until David was found.

He said: “We took his boat out of the water on Friday because it was going into the garage. He was in one of his dinghies when he went missing.

“When he didn’t come back, his two sons went looking for him and they had to be rescued.

“We’ve all got boats and David would come down here regularly and sit for hours looking out at the bay.

“Something has obviously happened and it’s devastating. David’s a good pal to everybody.

“I’m going nowhere until he’s been found.”

An HM Coastguard spokesperson said yesterday: "A search has resumed this morning for a man who is still missing after two boats got into difficulty off Cardwell Bay, Gourock, in Scotland last night.

"Greenock, Helensburgh and Kilgreggan Coastguard Rescue Team, along with Helensburgh RNLI lifeboat and the HM Coastguard helicopter from Prestwick were all sent to the scene.”

Duty controller for HM Coastguard Ben Hambling said: "We received the call around 11.20 on Saturday evening which said two boats had got into difficulty in that area.

"We have carried out an extensive search and two men have been rescued by the lifeboat.

“The search for the other man continued until just after 3am today when the weather and darkness made it too difficult to continue.

“The search is ongoing and we have no further information."

A Police Scotland spokesperson said yesterday: “Officers in Greenock received reports from the Coastguard of an ongoing incident on the Firth of Clyde near Gourock around 12.10am on Sunday, 8 December, 2019.

“A 36-year-old man and a 33-year-old man were rescued from the water.

“A 55-year-old man is still missing. The search activity continues.”