Boy’s body found on shore after sea search

Reece Sweeney, 16, was in the water at Banff Bay in Aberdeenshire with two friends when he vanished early on Saturday.

The search, which involved the coastguard, RNLI lifeboats, an air-sea rescue helicopter and police underwater search team, found no trace of the missing teenager on Saturday.

Further searches were carried out yesterday morning and the coastguard and Grampian Police later confirmed the discovery of the body which has been formally identified as that of Reece.

In a statement yesterday, the force said: “Grampian Police can advise that following a police-
co-ordinated search by HM Coastguard earlier this morning, the body of a young male was recovered from the shoreline at Banff Bay.

“We would take this opportunity to thank the local public and the various maritime partner agencies involved in the search for Reece, for their invaluable assistance during this tragic incident.”

A report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.

The ambulance service received a call at about 2.30am on Saturday, saying that somebody was in the water and in need of help.

The emergency call was forwarded to the coastguard at Aberdeen. Coastguard teams from Buckie, Portsoy, Banff and Gardenstown; the Macduff and Buckie RNLI lifeboats and a rescue helicopter from RAF Lossiemouth were all involved in the search operation at some stage.

Grampian Police are investigating the circumstances leading up to the three people being in the water.

A friend described how the group were in shallow water when a wave struck and they were knocked off their feet.

Stephanie McKendrick, 17, told the Scottish Sun Sunday: “The current was really strong. I’m a good swimmer but Reece isn’t.

“We both went under and I was trying to hold onto his hand – but when I came up he was not there. I shouted to him but there was no reply.”