TWO WOMEN DIE AFTER DIVING INCIDENT AT LOCH FYNE

Two women, aged 24 and 26, died following a diving incident at Loch Fyne in Argyll and Bute on Sunday afternoon. Police Scotland said officers were called to a report of concern for two female divers at approximately 3.30pm. The 26-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene near St Catherines, Cairndow, whilst the body of the 24-year-old woman was recovered from the water after further searches. A Police Scotland spokesperson stated that the deaths are being treated as unexplained and a post-mortem examination will take place in due course.

Emergency services responded rapidly to the incident, with HM Coastguard and a helicopter deployed alongside rescue teams from Crinan, Dunoon, Kames and Inveraray. Lifeboats from Tighnabruich, Campbeltown and Largs were also dispatched to the scene. Loch Fyne is Scotland's longest sea loch, extending 40 miles from the Sound of Bute, and is a popular diving location. Keith Waugh of Clydebank Sub Aqua Club, who has been diving for decades, described the site near St Catherines as usually "incredibly safe" and noted that the area, known as Seal Reef, is commonly used as a training site due to a reef that starts near the surface.

Waugh stated that the women who died were not thought to be members of the Clydebank club. The circumstances surrounding the deaths remain under investigation pending the results of post-mortem examinations.