Fisherman dies in river accident

A Royal Navy helicopter was scrambled to the scene

An angler who died after being swept down a river in Perthshire has been named by police.

Father-of-three Gordon Robertson was on holiday with his wife and children when he was pulled under the water in the River Tummel at Pitlochry.

The body of the 41-year-old, from Midlothian, was later found by a Royal Navy rescue helicopter.

It is thought his chest-high waders filled with water and trapped him under the surface while he was fishing.

An attempt by a passer-by to save Mr Robertson, of Burnside Road, Gorebridge, by throwing a rope into the water was unsuccessful.

It is understood the incident, which happened at about 1100 BST on Monday near the Tummel Valley Holiday Park, was seen by a family friend who was also on the holiday.

It seems to have been a tragic accident Tayside Fire and Rescue Service spokesman

A Royal Navy helicopter which had been scrambled to help with the search spotted his body about two hours later.

Mr Robertson lost his footing and witnesses saw him being swept down the river and disappearing below the surface.

The spot he was fishing in was a short distance downstream from a Scottish Water pumping station and management made efforts to lower the water level.

Thermal imaging equipment

Tayside Fire and Rescue Service personnel then used thermal imaging equipment along both banks of the river to try and recover the holidaymaker's body.

A spokesman for the service said: "He had been spotted vanishing under the water and was wearing chest waders.

"Scottish Water took steps to turn down the pressure from the nearby pumping station and lower the water level.

"We used thermal imaging equipment on both banks of the river during the search. It seems to have been a tragic accident."