Hunt for missing couple after car washes up on Scottish beach
An air, sea and land search is underway for a husband and wife whose car was found washed-up on a Scottish beach during bad weather.
James and Susan Kenneavy’s empty Ford Kuga was found by workmen on Drummore beach, near Stranraer in the south of Scotland, on Thursday morning.
The discovery followed heavy rain and flooding on a coastal road.
Emergency services were out at first light on Friday after being halted on the previous night.
A police spokesman said they were seeking the public’s help to trace the missing couple, and the movements of their car, with the registration, SJ15UKX.
Police said the couple were thought to be both in their 70s, and had not been recently seen at home nor in contact with their family.
‘We are very worried about Mr and Mrs Kenneavy,’ said Insp Craig Nicolson.
‘We know the Drummore coastal road was closed last night due to coastal flooding, but I would ask anyone that saw the vehicle or who knows the whereabouts of the couple to contact Police Scotland.’
One local Edward Beck, told the BBC hat locals had been aware of weather warnings from the Met Office and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
Mr Beck added that conditions along the coastal route could be extremely treacherous and said storm waves of up to 60ft high could hit the main road.
He had known the couple for more than 30 years, reported the BBC.
‘You can be driving through three, four feet of water and a lot of cars can suck water into the engine and you can get stranded,’ he added.
‘That part [of the road] actually looks like it’s in the sea if you hit it at the right time.’
The authorities were first contacted on Thursday afternoon regarding the disappearance.
‘The HM Coastguard Search and Rescue Helicopter based at Prestwick, Drummore, Stranraer and Portpatrick coastguard rescue teams and lifeboats from Stranraer and Portpatrick were all sent to assist,’ said a spokesman for HM Coastguard.
