Inverness couple 'tried to save stricken sailor' on Loch Ness
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An Inverness couple have told how they raced to rescue a man and his friend from the waters of Loch Ness.
Searches were continuing today for one of the men it is believed fell overboard while relieving himself over the side of a yacht in the water near Dores on Thursday evening.
Emergency services were called to the scene after reports that two Polish men – on board a small yacht named Miss Adventure, with two women – were in the water.
It later emerged that one man, believed to be aged 34, had fallen into the loch and his friend jumped in to try and save him.
One local said: "We heard that he had gone for a pee and fell overboard.
"His mate dived in to save him but the other chap went under very quickly. I don't think he was wearing a life-jacket."
The rescuer was pulled from the loch but there was still no sign of the first man yesterday.
Malcolm Allan and his wife Margaret, from the Crown area of Inverness, were sailing nearby when they became aware of the drama unfolding.
Mr Allan, an experienced sailor, said: "We immediately put out a mayday call. We rescued one of the men from the water, and he was very poorly. He was suffering from hypothermia. But the second man was not to be seen anywhere.
"In the meantime, the lifeboat and the coastguard helicopter were both called, and were on the scene in a matter of minutes.
"The dinghy that should have been attached to the yacht was some way behind it.
"The women on the yacht were frantically trying to catch the attention of other boats to try and help both men."
He said the water was cold at the time.
The rescued man was taken to hospital. No update has been given on his condition.
The search area was also extended further up the loch to Urquhart Bay, with specialist police divers taking to the water.
The nearby Dores Inn had been due to reopen on Friday for the first time since lockdown was imposed but asked the public to stay away as searches continued.
Reopened on Saturday, owners said: "We are deeply saddened and our thoughts are with everyone involved."
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