Missing OAP hunt called off

POLICE have called off the search for a pensioner who went missing on Wednesday.
By The Newsroom
Published 3rd Dec 2011, 00:36 BST

A two-day land, sea and air search of the Buchan coastline failed to find any trace of Ernest Mackie, 78, from Ellon, Aberdeenshire. And yesterday, Grampian Police confirmed the search had been stood down.

Inspector John Esson said: “It is now 48 hours since he was last seen and, given the winter weather and Mr Mackie’s age, the chances of survival outdoors for that length of time are sadly very slim.”

Mr Mackie was last seen alive shortly before 11am on Wednesday near Cruden Bay golf club, and he is known to have walked regularly in the area.