Loch Gairloch Canoe Tragedy: Search Resumes For Missing Father Ewen Beaton After Three Children Die

Search For Canoe Tragedy Father Resumes

Shoreline searches are continuing on Tuesday for a man presumed drowned after a canoeing tragedy that claimed the lives of his two young sons and a five-year-old girl.

His family said they were "utterly devastated" following the accident and the loss of the two young boys.

"We appreciate all that has and is being done by emergency services to find their adoring father, Ewen," relatives said in a statement.

A third child, Gracie Mackay, five, from Muir of Ord, near Inverness, died in the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow on Monday.

Gracie's 35-year-old father and eight-year-old sister, named locally as Garry Mackay and Callie, who were also in the boat, managed to swim 500m to the shore and raise the alarm.

Peter Godding, sector manager for Stornoway Coastguard, said: "It's amazing really, she swam quite a long way in the sea, which is no mean feat.

"It's pretty incredible that she did survive.

"She would have given the police certain information which they didn't have.

"The girl that survived is very courageous and very resourceful to be able to complete a 500-metre swim to shore.

"That's no mean feat for an adult but she's achieved that and managed, in combination with the other adult, to raise the alarm. She's amazing."

Police would not comment on reports last night that the children were wearing life jackets but their fathers were not.

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