One man dead and two missing as search goes on for fishing boat off Lewis

Searches have been taking place off Port Of Ness, pictured earlier on Wednesday

Police say a body has been found in the search for three men who were onboard a fishing boat that has gone missing off the Western Isles.

A plane, two helicopters, two lifeboats and volunteers were making searches off the Port of Ness in north Lewis. Police have warned the public not to make their own searches due to bad weather.

Police Scotland said the man's body was found at about 02:45, but the remaining two men and their boat remained unaccounted for.

Ch Insp Ross McCartney, local area commander for the Western Isles, said: "We are very aware of the impact that this incident will have on communities across the Outer Hebrides and beyond.

He said the families of the three men were being provided with specialist support.

"However, conditions are very challenging and I would urge people not to put themselves at any risk. Please do not attempt to carry out searches in areas which put you at risk of harm."

The RNLI said Stornoway's all-weather lifeboat was launched at 21:42 on Tuesday to search for the overdue fishing boat.

Kenneth Macleod, convener of local authority Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, told BBC Radio Scotland's Lunchtime Live programme: "It is a very dark day for the community of Ness and the community of Lewis in general.

"We cannot comprehend what the families of the three fishermen are going through at the moment."

A Met Office yellow warning has been issued for parts of the Highlands and Western Isles with the risk of gusts touching 70mph (113km/h) in places.

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