Missing pensioner may have fallen in River Tummel

A PENSIONER missing from his home in Pitlochry for two months may have fallen into the River Tummel, Police Scotland said today.

Picture: Police Scotland

William Elder, 81, was last seen on the morning of Tuesday, 10 December, at his home at the James Court sheltered housing complex in Pitlochry.

Police Scotland have voiced “considerable” concern for the welfare of Mr Elder, a keen angler who regularly took riverside walks.

Sergeant Caroline McNaughton, of Tayside Division, said: “Sadly, there have been no new sightings. Given his age and time missing and the last sighting of William, we are concerned that there is a possibility he may have fallen in the River Tummel while walking in the area.

“We have asked specialists from Police Scotland’s marine support unit to advise us on searching areas of the river but with the recent heavy rainfall, water levels are extremely high at the moment and the river is fast flowing. This has delayed the river search but this will take place as soon as it is safe to do so.”

She added: “We have been keeping in regular contact with Mr Elder’s family but understand that he has another sister by the name of Janet Elder. She may have married a Robert or Bob Reid and was last known to be living in the Perth area in the late 1980s.

“If anyone knows where Janet is now, we would very much like to get in touch with her.”

Mr Elder is five feet tall, of slim build, and has brown, greying hair. When last seen he was wearing a green wax jacket, black loose-fitting trousers and brown boots. He has a distinctive limp and normally uses a walking stick.