Ochil rescue team involved in major search operation

Jamie MacDonald • Published 13 Jan 2010 13:36 0 Comments

A HUNT took place in the area of Tillicoultry and the surrounding hills on Thursday after cries for help were heard in the morning.

Central Scotland Police, the Ochil Mountain Rescue Team, Strathclyde Police's search helicopter and Search and Rescue dogs were involved in scouring the village and the nearby hills following reports from members of the public who heard the shouts.

The operation was co-ordinated from the car park at Sterling Mills and while police chapped doors and looked in gardens the rescue team and helicopter took to the hills. Ochil Mountain Rescue team leader Kevin Mitchell told the Advertiser the air was very still on the day and any shouts would carry a very long way.

"There were shouts heard at Upper Hill Street and in the park area between 6.30 and 8am," he said. "We were able to search a lot of the hill. In the end it was put down as a false alarm with good intent, the search was called off at about 2pm."

Over the weekend the Mountain Rescue Team were also asked by police to assist them in looking for a missing man from Falkirk.

56-year-old Andrew Ainsworth has been missing since last Tuesday and the volunteer team were called to help search in difficult to access areas in the Brightons area of the town.

Mr Ainsworth has not been seen since he left for work and headed towards Polmont Railway Station.

On Sunday the Ochil Mountain Rescue Team returned to the Ochils and searched Dumyat for Mr Ainsworth who enjoys climbing the hill. At the time of going to press he had still to be found. He is described as 5ft 11 inches tall, grey short hair and was wearing a blue/grey quilted jacket, blue/beige trousers, a grey scarf with red and yellow lining, a grey beannie hat and brown walking boots.

Kevin said, "The conditions on Dumyat were quite wild on Sunday. Although it wasn't snowing it was very windy and there was a lot of spin drift."

He added a warning that anyone planning on taking to the hills in this weather should be prepared.

"We still saw people heading up without ice axes on Sunday," said Kevin. "The wind increases drastically and the temperature drops the higher you go. Although it can be quite nice underfoot conditions are still icy.

"We are not saying don't go into the hills, just be prepared."

Anyone with information about Mr Ainsworth's whereabouts should contact Central Scotland Police on 01786 456000.

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