Divers search for body of man at Threipmuir Reservoir in Edinburgh

Police divers have joined the search for the body of a man who fell from a dinghy in Threipmuir Reservoir in Edinburgh.

The man, in his 30s, was in an inflatable boat with about six male friends when the accident happened at 17:35 on Wednesday.

The beauty spot near Balerno in the Pentland Hills is popular with wild swimmers and water sports enthusiasts.

An open-water swimmer said he helped guide the boat back to shore.

The man, who asked not to be named, told BBC Scotland: "I arrived at the reservoir at 5pm and saw a bunch of guys getting into a dinghy. It was a huge, chunky dinghy and they were having a good time but weren't over the top.

"I swam the length of the reservoir and on my return back I could see they had crossed into the middle of the reservoir where it is at its deepest.

"I could see they were waving their jackets so I swam out to them and that's when I could see they were hysterical and saying their friend was in the water.

"I wasn't sure why they hadn't pulled him out and couldn't see him so I guided the boat with them in it back to shore. It was very windy and so it was choppy and they only had paddles, they didn't have a motor."

When they arrived at the shore, the swimmer told the men in the boat to run to the top of the reservoir to see if there were any fishermen with a motorised boat who could help.

He said: "I asked them if they had a mobile phone but said they didn't. They were all between 25 and 40 years old. It was unclear if they were local or not. I could see a man on a mobile phone some distance off so I told them to see if he was calling the emergency services.

"I then went back into the water and swam around the perimeter of the north shore to see if I could find him.

"I couldn't see anything and that's when I saw a deluge of emergency services and two helicopters."

The missing person search was called off just before 20:00 on Wednesday.

A recovery operation was launched on Thursday and Threipmuir car park was closed to the public.

The open swimmer said: "They were in good spirits one minute - they weren't being daft though, just having a good time - and then the next this happens.

"It just shows you how careful you have to be in reservoirs and even when the sun is out you have to be at the top of your game."

Ch Insp Scott Richardson, of Police Scotland, said: "A recovery operation is under way at Thriepmuir Reservoir near Balerno today after a man was seen to get into difficulties in the water on Wednesday.

"Emergency services responded to the scene around 5.35pm and searches were carried out. These continue today and the man's family are being kept fully informed.

"Threipmuir Reservoir car park on Mansfield Road is currently closed to the public to allow for emergency service access, along with the footpath around the reservoir. We ask that the public to avoid the area."