A major overnight search off Largs in North Ayrshire was suspended on the morning of Tuesday 27 October after no one was found, and police are now appealing for help to identify a man seen in the water. The alarm was raised shortly after midnight, when a person was reported to have been swept into the sea by large waves near Burnlea Road.

The overnight search operation

HM Coastguard received the report at about 12.20am and sent a helicopter and an aeroplane, along with Coastguard rescue teams from Largs and Ardrossan. Lifeboats from Largs and Troon also launched, Largs at 12.23am and Troon at 12.35am, while Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Scottish Ambulance Service attended. After an extensive search, Coastguard said no one had been found and searches were suspended at about 9am, pending any new information. The Largs lifeboat was stood down at 3.30am and the Troon lifeboat at 8.45am. Police later said the person remains missing, that searching was due to resume, and that enquiries are continuing.

Police appeal for witnesses

Police Scotland is asking anyone with information to come forward, quoting incident number 0026 of Tuesday 27 October 2026. Anyone who was in the area around midnight, or who holds private CCTV or dashcam footage from the time, may hold information that could help. The appeal comes as Scotland's west coast faced strong winds, with a yellow Met Office warning in place during the day.

Sources: Glasgow Times and The Sun.