Teenage kayaker dies on River Tay

A TEENAGE boy has died during a kayaking trip in the River Tay, police said today.

• The River Tay near Grandtully is popular with kayakers

The 19-year-old was killed after his kayak became trapped under a rock on a fast-flowing section of the Tay near Grandtully in Perthshire yesterday afternoon.

Attempts to rescue the stricken kayaker, who is understood to be from the Cleveland area, were hampered by heavy waters. Rescue teams will continue attempts to recover his body today.

It is the second death on Scottish rivers this week. Kayaker Emily Parker was killed on the River Coe in Glencoe on Tuesday.

A spokesman for Tayside Police said: "A 19-year-old male and his canoe became submerged and wedged under a rock in very fast flowing water.

"Tayside Police, Tayside Fire and Rescue and the Scottish Ambulance Service attended, as did an RAF Air/Sea Rescue helicopter and crew.

"A local rescue boat and crew were also at the scene.

"With the river in spate, the emergency services were met with very challenging conditions and their efforts to rescue the male continued, without success, until nightfall.

"Efforts will be resumed this morning to recover the male."

A spokesman said the teenager's family had travelled to Perthshire.