'Search delay' over death cadet

Teenager Kaylee McIntosh drowned in the accident

A teenage cadet who drowned in the Western Isles may not have been discovered missing until more than 90 minutes after a boat capsized.

Kaylee McIntosh, 14, from Fyvie, Aberdeenshire, was on a training exercise on a sea loch off South Uist last Friday when the accident happened.

Police said a significant investigation was being held, but could not comment on the time delay claims.

It is possible a fatal accident inquiry will be held at a later stage.

Kaylee died last Friday after the assault craft she and 11 others - seven cadets and four adults - were on overturned.

Witness interviews

It is understood it may have been more than 90 minutes before she was reported missing.

When Kaylee was found she was taken to Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway where she was pronounced dead.

A spokesman for Northern Constabulary, which is co-ordinating the investigation into her death, said: "There is a significant ongoing investigation into the incident at South Uist on Friday.

"There are numerous witnesses still to be interviewed from both the Western Isles and north east of Scotland.

"A full report will be sent to the procurator fiscal in due course."

Summer camp

It has been reported locally that weather conditions at the time the boat capsized were poor, with strong winds and heavy rain.

A group of about 40 cadets from 2nd Battalion Highlands Army Cadet Force Headquarters in Aberdeenshire had been training in Loch Carnan using rigid inflatable boats.

They were among 200 cadets from the north east of Scotland who were attending a summer camp on nearby Benbecula.