A man is feared to have drowned after getting into difficulties in Loch Ken.
The 28-year-old had been at the beauty spot with friends on Sunday afternoon when he went swimming near the old viaduct at Parton.
When he didn’t return, his pals raised the alarm which sparked a major search that was continuing as the Standard went to press yesterday.
It is thought the man may have succumbed to the water temperature, which was still low despite the recent heatwave.
Senior coastguard operations officer at Kirkcudbright Stewart Bryden, said: “The temperature was only sitting about nine degrees. We think it’s the cold water shock that’s got him.
“Entering the water at this time of year, lochs especially, is dangerous due to the cold temperatures.
“Lochs don’t heat up as much as people think. They’re deep and they’ve got pools.
“People need to take care and should use life jackets.”
The alarm was raised just before 5pm on Sunday afternoon.
HM Coastguard, police divers, fire brigade, Nith Inshore Rescue, Loch Ken Trust’s ranger service and a helicopter all took part in the search.
No one had been found by the time the search was called off for the night, with the hunt resuming on Monday morning.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Around 4.45pm on Sunday, June 18, we received a report of man in difficulty in the water at Loch Ken.
“Emergency services attended and a search was carried out with no result. Further searches will take place over the coming days.”
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman added: “Operations control mobilised two water rescue teams and two appliances to the scene to assist.”
Mr Bryden thanked the emergency services and all the locals who had been helping in the search.
