‘I hope everyone is okay’ Police in desperate scramble to find ‘missing Scottish aircraft’
A ROAD has been closed in Scotland as authorities scramble to find a “missing aircraft”, it has emerged.
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Scottish police announced the closure and asked the public to “avoid the area” as the search continues.
Forth Valley Police Division said: “The Touch Road in Stirling has been closed to allow access to searchers involved in the ongoing search for the microlight aircraft which was seen descending into woodland earlier today.
“The public are asked to avoid this area if possible to allow the search to continue unimpeded.”
The microlight aircraft was seen descending into a wooded area south of Cambusbarron, neighbouring Stirling, at 4pm or 5pm by drivers on the M80 motorway.
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The police are being aided by mountain rescue volunteers, firefighters and ambulance staff.
Inspector Morris Lindsay of Police Scotland added: “Police resources have been supplemented by staff from the Fire and Rescue Service, Scottish Ambulance Service and mountain rescue volunteers in the search.
“An aerial search has been carried out by the Police Scotland helicopter and now ground searches are underway.
“I would appeal to anyone who may have any information which might assist in this matter to call Police Scotland on the 101 number as a matter of urgency.”
A local to the search operation detailed that “at least a dozen” police cars came “racing through” after the incident was reported.
One said: “There must have been at least a dozen police cars racing through just after 4pm.
“A couple of ambulances came after that as well as the mountain rescue team.
“The helicopter was hovering overhead for ages shining a light down on the hill.
“We thought they were maybe looking for a missing person.
“I didn’t see or hear the microlight coming down.
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“I normally see one flying nearby every so often.
“I hope everyone is okay.”
Another claimed: “We knew it was something serious when we heard all the sirens.
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“It was crazy seeing the number of cop cars rushing past.
“The weather wasn’t too bad but it was really cold so they obviously wanted to find the pilot as soon as possible.
“It was a bit foggy earlier in the day but I don’t know if that had anything to do with it crashing.”
