Kayaker's body found as police name biker feared swept away while crossing burn

THE body of a kayaker swept into a swollen Highland river after her boat capsized was found yesterday afternoon.

The woman, who has not been named, was in her early twenties and from the north of England.

She had been in party of five negotiating the River Coe in Glencoe when she became separated from the group around 9am yesterday.

The party was between the Clachaig Inn and the sea Loch Leven when the woman's kayak overturned and she was throwing her into the torrents.

Her body was recovered from the River Coe about 5:30pm yesterday after a police dog handler spotted what looked like kayak equipment under the water.

Heavy rain overnight coupled with a heavy snow melt, put the river, which runs through the historic village, into a spate.

Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team, local Coastguard and volunteers searched the river and loch banks.

Rescue 177 from HMS Gannett was brought in to conduct an aerial sweep of the area.

Meanwhile, police yesterday named a quad biker last seen at 8:30am on Monday as Linda Weir, 58, of Crairieknowe Farm, Thornhill, Dumfries.

Ms Weir is thought to have fallen from her quad bike while crossing Burnsands Burn and been swept away by the water.

Her quad bike was found upturned in the water after the alarm was raised at 11:30am on Monday.