Body discovered in search for elderly man who fell from ferry

Coastguards have recovered a body days after a man was reported to have gone overboard from a CalMac ferry in Scotland. The body was found following the disappearance of pensioner Jim Withers, 82, who is believed to have entered the water after boarding a CalMac ferry from Ardrossan in North Ayrshire to the Isle of Arran during Storm Boelo. Police said they recovered the body from the beach at Largs, in the Firth of Clyde.

Coastguards had first responded to reports that a man had gone overboard from the ferry on October 18. The search involved two helicopters, a coastguard aircraft, RNLI lifeboats and rescue teams before it was called off at 4.55am on Monday. Mr Withers had been reported missing from his home in Johnstone, Renfrewshire.

While the body has not yet been formally identified, his family has been informed of the latest development. Police have said the incident is not being treated as suspicious, and a report will be sent to the procurator fiscal in due course. Police Scotland said: “On Sunday, October 25, we received a report of the body of a man having been found in the Largs beach area.

“Formal identification is yet to take place, however the family of 82-year-old Jim Wither, who was reported missing from Johnstone, have been informed. “The death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal in due course.” A Caledonian MacBrayne spokesperson had previously said: “CalMac and the crew from MV Caledonian Isles are assisting Police Scotland and HM Coastguard with an ongoing enquiry regarding a missing person.”