The search for a couple whose car was found washed up on a beach in bad weather has been stood down for the day.

James and Susan Kenneavy’s empty Ford Kuga was found on Drummore beach near Stranraer in the south of Scotland at around 7.30am on Thursday. Heavy rain had led to flooding on the Drummore coastal road on Wednesday and the coastguard rescue team were helping with the police search.

Air, sea and land searches continued on Friday but have been stood down. Police Scotland said search teams will return to the area over the weekend.

On Friday evening, a force spokesman said: “We were assisted by the local lifeboats, Galloway mountain rescue team, coastguard and a rescue search helicopter as we continued our search .

“At this time the search has been stood down. However, 20 members of Police Scotland’s mountain rescue team will deploy tomorrow to continue the coastline search. Local residents will continue to see an increased police presence in the area tonight and over the weekend.”

Officers said the couple had not been seen at home and had not been in touch with family.



Insp Craig Nicolson said: “We are very worried about Mr and Mrs Kenneavy.

“We know the Drummore coastal road was closed due to coastal flooding, but I would ask anyone that [has] seen the vehicle or knows the whereabouts of the couple to contact Police Scotland.”

Anyone with information is asked to phone 101 quoting incident number 0474.