Microlight aircraft crash report a false alarm, police say, as search ends

8 January 2018, 15:36

The search for a microlight aircraft which was reported as descending into a wooded area has been stood down by police, who said it was a false alarm.

A multi-agency response was launched on Sunday at 4pm and continued on Monday in the Cambusbarron area near Stirling.

The alarm was raised by two members of the public who said they spotted the aircraft descending into woodland while they were travelling on the M80 motorway.

Fire service, ambulance, police and mountain rescue teams were involved in the search just south of the village.

An aerial search was carried out by the Police Scotland helicopter and ground searches were also undertaken.

It continued on Monday morning but police say it has now been stood down and they are treating the incident as "a well-intentioned" false alarm.

Inspector Anton Stephenson, from Stirling police station, said: "I would like to thank our colleagues from Killin, Ochils and Lomond mountain rescue teams, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Scottish Ambulance Service who have helped with the comprehensive search.

"We have carried out a number of enquiries and are satisfied that the report was made with good intent.

"I would like to thank those members of the public who supported the teams and those who have contacted us with information to help with our investigations."