A major search off the coast of Largs in North Ayrshire was suspended at about 9am on Tuesday 27 October 2026 after a person was reported swept into the sea by large waves overnight, HM Coastguard said. Despite an extensive search involving a helicopter, lifeboats and shore teams, no one was found.

Overnight response

Police Scotland received a report at around 12:12am of concern for an unidentified person in the water near Burnlea Road, Largs. HM Coastguard said it received a report at around 12:20am of a person believed to have been swept into the sea by large waves. The response included an HM Coastguard helicopter and aeroplane, Coastguard Rescue Teams from Largs and Ardrossan, RNLI lifeboats from Largs and Troon, Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Largs RNLI launched at 12:23am and stood down at 3:30am; Troon RNLI launched at 12:35am and stood down at 8:45am. The Scottish Ambulance Service sent two special operations response teams and an ambulance.

Search suspended, appeal ongoing

HM Coastguard said searches were suspended at about 9am pending any new information. Police Scotland was separately quoted as saying searching would resume this morning; the two wordings have not been reconciled into a single position. Police Scotland said the person remains unaccounted for and appealed for information via 101, quoting incident number 0026 of Tuesday 27 October 2026. Officials have not stated the person's gender, age, identity or fate, and none is stated here. The search took place during a Met Office yellow wind warning covering most of Scotland, with gusts up to 70mph reported, dozens of schools shut and travel disruption after Storm Boelo at the weekend.

Sources: HM Coastguard; Police Scotland; RNLI, 27 October 2026.