Full Breakdown
Body Found After Search for Missing 82-Year-Old Ferry Passenger
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On Sunday, October 18, 82-year-old Jim Wither of Johnstone, Renfrewshire, was reported missing after he is believed to have boarded a CalMac ferry from Ardrossan to the Isle of Arran and fallen overboard. A week-long search concluded on Sunday, October 25 when officers from Police Scotland confirmed that a body had been recovered on Largs beach. Formal identification has not yet taken place, and the death is not being treated as suspicious.
Search Operation
The rescue effort mobilised two coastguard helicopters, a rescue aeroplane, and ground teams from Arran, Ayr, Ardrossan and Greenock. Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeboats were dispatched from Girvan and Campbeltown. Despite the extensive deployment, no one was located during the initial sweeps, and the body was only discovered later in the Largs beach area.
Official Statements & Responses
Police Scotland issued a statement confirming the discovery, noting that a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal in due course. Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) added that its crew from the MV Caledonian Isles is cooperating with Police Scotland and HM Coastguard in the ongoing enquiry.
Data & Statistics
- Age of missing person: 82 years
- Date reported missing: Sunday, October 18
- Date body found: Sunday, October 25
- Search assets: 2 coastguard helicopters, 1 rescue aeroplane, rescue teams from four mainland locations, RNLI lifeboats from two ports
Verbatim Quotes
- “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. The death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal in due course.” — Police Scotland spokesperson
- “CalMac and the crew from MV Caledonian Isles are assisting Police Scotland and HM Coastguard with an ongoing enquiry regarding a missing person.” — Caledonian MacBrayne, spokesperson
- “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. ? View 2 Images (Image: Getty Images)” — Police Scotland spokesperson