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Two bodies found in loch search Two bodies found in loch search
(20 minutes later)
Two bodies have been recovered from Loch Awe in Argyll following a search for four men who had gone out in a small boat.Two bodies have been recovered from Loch Awe in Argyll following a search for four men who had gone out in a small boat.
An RAF helicopter, police and the coastguard are still trying to find the other two men. The dead men, who were wearing lifejackets were aged 47 and 30.
The four men were in their 30s and 40s. The dead men were wearing lifejackets. An RAF helicopter, police and the coastguard are still trying to find the other two men, who are aged 45 and 36.
The search was launched after police received a call at about 0345 GMT. Rescuers said thick fog was hampering the rescue effort. The search was launched after police received a call from a fifth member of the party at about 0345 GMT. Thick fog hampered the rescue effort.
The bodies were recovered from the water at 0617 GMT.The bodies were recovered from the water at 0617 GMT.
The alarm was raised by a member of the public who was concerned about the safety of the men.
A spokesman for Strathclyde Fire and Rescue said that on arrival at the scene, which is near the A819, the fire crews could hear calls for help from the loch.
Chief Inspector Andrew Mosley describes the sceneChief Inspector Andrew Mosley describes the scene
The men, who were on a fishing trip, had been camping on the banks of the loch, near Kilchurn Castle, close to Dalmally, and did not live locally.
A police spokesman said they had decided to take a small boat across the loch to a hotel and left at about 2300 GMT, leaving one of the group at the campsite.
At around 0300 GMT the 38-year-old man discovered his friends had not returned. He then heard them calling for help from the loch and alerted the emergency services.
A search was launched, involving Strathclyde Police, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, the coastguard and Oban Mountain Rescue, but the rescuers were severely hindered by the dense fog.
A spokesman for Strathclyde Fire and Rescue said that on arrival at the scene, which is near the A819, the fire crews could hear calls for help from the loch.The men had been camping on the banks of the loch
But as visibility was down to just five metres, they could not see anyone and a coastguard helicopter was unable to locate the men.But as visibility was down to just five metres, they could not see anyone and a coastguard helicopter was unable to locate the men.
A rescue boat was called out from Renfrew fire station, whose crew pulled two men out of the water. Both were wearing lifejackets.A rescue boat was called out from Renfrew fire station, whose crew pulled two men out of the water. Both were wearing lifejackets.
The spokesman said: "The two men were unconscious and in a poor condition, sadly both were declared dead at the scene."The spokesman said: "The two men were unconscious and in a poor condition, sadly both were declared dead at the scene."
The search for the other two men is continuing and is focused on the area close to Kilchurn Castle, near Dalmally. The search for the other two men is continuing.
The group had been camping on the banks of the loch and did not live locally. Insp Andrew Mosley, of Strathclyde Police, said: "The weather conditions have not helped us at all.The men were spotted in the waters of Loch Awe in the early hours
Insp Andrew Mosley, of Strathclyde Police, said: "The weather conditions have not helped us at all.The men had been camping on the banks of the loch
"We've been down to very, very low visibility on the loch which makes a very difficult operating environment for the emergency services, but also from a practical point of view, actually trying to see any debris or any other evidence that may be on the loch at this time.""We've been down to very, very low visibility on the loch which makes a very difficult operating environment for the emergency services, but also from a practical point of view, actually trying to see any debris or any other evidence that may be on the loch at this time."
Earlier, a police spokesman said: "All available means are being used for the search and the search is still ongoing at present."Earlier, a police spokesman said: "All available means are being used for the search and the search is still ongoing at present."
The A819 has been reduced to one carriageway while the search is being carried out.The A819 has been reduced to one carriageway while the search is being carried out.
Loch Awe, which is popular with anglers, is the third largest loch by surface area in Scotland and is sometimes referred to as "The Jewel Of Argyll".Loch Awe, which is popular with anglers, is the third largest loch by surface area in Scotland and is sometimes referred to as "The Jewel Of Argyll".
It is also the longest freshwater loch in Scotland, measuring more than 25 miles from end to end, with an average width of just over half a mile.It is also the longest freshwater loch in Scotland, measuring more than 25 miles from end to end, with an average width of just over half a mile.