'Open mind' on boat tragedy

Shaun Ridley and his sons were on the boat

Police say they are keeping an open mind on the cause of a boat accident which claimed two lives and left a teenager missing.

Father Shaun Ridley, 37, and his 12-year-old son Michael died after their motor boat capsized on Loch Ryan in south west Scotland on Saturday afternoon.

Mr Ridley's 15-year-old son Steven is missing, although rescuers said there was little chance of finding him alive.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch launched an investigation into the tragedy.

Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary is also undertaking what it described as "a major inquiry".

The force is aiming to establish the facts and circumstances of the incident.

The inquiry is still at a very early stage and we will keep an open mind to ensure that all possible causes are considered and fully explored Police spokesperson

"We are working closely with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency with regard to the continuing search for Steven Ridley and the investigation of this incident," said a spokesperson.

"Speculation on the cause being attributed to a wave produced by a high speed ferry will obviously form part of this investigation.

"However, the inquiry is still at a very early stage and we will keep an open mind to ensure that all possible causes are considered and fully explored."

A search for Steven, from Westleigh, Greater Manchester, was called off on Sunday.

However, searches of the bays and foreshore along the coast continued.

Steven's grandfather Brian, 61, and family friend Harvey Haughton, 58, survived the accident.

Coastguards said on Monday that accident investigators would be looking at a variety of factors in trying to establish what happened to the fishing boat party.