A witness has told how devastated pals of a man who died at the Falls of Falloch desperately battled to save him for almost one hour.
We told how emergency services raced to the popular Scots beauty spot, near Crianlarich in Stirlingshire, after the alarm was raised at around 5.20pm on Saturday, July 9. Ambulance crews attended but the body of a 24-year-old man was recovered from the water by the Police Scotland Dive and Marine Unit.
An onlooker said the young man's friends jumped into the water to try and save him and were searching the waterfall for 40 minutes. Meanwhile others at the scene phoned emergency services as folk rallied together to try and save the stricken swimmer.
The eyewitness said: "His friends amazed us with their efforts to search for the young man and looked absolutely exhausted.
"I, along with two friends and partner, witnessed the young man fall from Falloch falls on Saturday. He lost his footing and slipped backwards as we were looking at the men from where we were standing.
"His friends were swimming in that pool looking for him for around 40 minutes, whilst we shouted directions from the edge and lots of calls to emergency services were made.
"We stayed for around 45 minutes but as emergency services arrived we went back to our campsite to make space as the car park was completely full."
The witness added: "I want to send my condolences to family and friends as I can’t imagine what you’re going through, they looked like a lovely bunch of lads enjoying a summer day. This was the most tragic incident."
Officers say there are no apparent suspicious circumstances relating to the death.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Officers were called to concerns for a person near Falls of Falloch at around 5.20pm on Saturday, July 9, 2022.
“Emergency services attended and the body of a 24-year-old man was recovered from the water by the Police Scotland Dive and Marine Unit.
“There are no apparent suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.”
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
