Scot dies abroad after swim in lake

Published on 27/06/2012 15:55

A SCOT has died on a friend’s stag weekend in Slovakia.

Graeme Hartis, 28, was a member of the Territorial Army.

• Graeme Hartis’ body discovered in lake by divers after going for a swim and disappearing from view

• Hartis was member of Territorial Army and was due to be deployed in Afghanistan this year

His body was recovered by divers from a lake in Bratislava on Saturday.

According to reports, his friends raised the alarm when he disappeared from view after going for a swim.

Mr Hartis was a Lance Corporal with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and had medals for service in Iraq and Northern Ireland. He was due to deploy to Afghanistan this year.

His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Edward Whishaw, said: “My thoughts are with Graeme’s family, as are those of all his friends and colleagues within the regiment, to whom this has been devastating news.

“We offer our condolences and are seeking to provide support to Graeme’s family both now and with longer-term concerns.

“A well-liked, capable and kind soldier, he deployed with me on exercise in Cyprus this Easter and, as ever, proved his commitment and positive outlook. He was mobilised to deploy as a reservist to Afghanistan in September. My sympathies are with those with whom he mobilised.”

Mr Hartis, from Glenrothes in Fife, joined the Territorial Army shortly after leaving the regulars.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: “We can confirm the death of a British national in Bratislava on 23 June. We are providing consular assistance to the family.”