A team of more than 50 rescuers scoured the coastline and loch

Rescuers say there is little chance of finding Steven Ridley of Westleigh, Greater Manchester alive after he disappeared in Loch Ryan, on the west coast of Scotland, on Saturday afternoon.

Steven's father Shaun, 37, and younger brother Michael, 12, died in hospital after drifting in the water for up to five hours before being pulled clear.

Steven's grandfather Brian, 61, and family friend Harvey Haughton, 58, were the only survivors of the accident.

Shaun has bravely given up his own life attempting to save his much-loved sons, Steven and Michael The Ridley family

Both men have been taken to Garrick Hospital in Stranraer where they are being treated for hypothermia.

On Sunday, Shaun Ridley's family paid tribute to his attempt to save the lives of his sons.

In a statement they said: "It's with deepest regret that a family fishing trip which started gloriously has ended in such a tragedy.

"Shaun has bravely given up his own life attempting to save his much-loved sons, Steven and Michael.

"This tragedy has occurred despite them all wearing life jackets.

"At this time Steven is still missing and all family and friends would appreciate privacy at this time to come to terms with their loss."

Church prayers

The family added their thanks to the crew of a yacht which rescued Brian Ridley and Mr Haughton.

Prayers were said for the Ridley family on Sunday at two churches close to where they lived in Westleigh.

Ken Sharples, of Westleigh Methodist Church, said: "It is a very sad thing to have happened and we will be praying for the family this morning. Some of the congregation obviously know the family quite well going back many years."

The party was on a fishing trip when their 16ft light motor boat was apparently swamped with water and capsized.

Four ferries were initially involved in the search, which happened near the main sea route between Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Galloway Coastguard sector manager David Shaw said the five on the boat had probably been hit by a "freak gust" on their way back to shore near Finarts Bay, close to the mouth of the sea loch.

The accident happened on Saturday afternoon

A Sea King helicopter joined lifeboat crews, seven coastguard search teams and the Galloway Mountain Rescue Team in scouring the loch and surrounding area for the teenager.

John Griffiths, District Controller of Clyde Coastguard, said more than 50 personnel had searched the coastline.

"Despite the weather on scene remaining calm and clear we have not been able to locate the boy and we are now in the process of scaling down the response, as we have to take into account the continual retracing of our steps and tiredness of the searchers," he said on Sunday.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch launched an investigation into the tragedy, while a decision will be made by the procurator fiscal at Stranraer on whether to hold a fatal accident inquiry.

Inspector Ian Cowie, of Dumfries and Galloway Police, said police were keeping an open mind about the possible cause of the accident.

Coastguard officers will continue to check the shoreline for the next few days.