A 20-year-old man from Perth is facing charges following a spurious emergency call that initiated a large-scale search and rescue operation on the River Tay. The incident unfolded late on Wednesday evening, drawing a significant contingent of emergency services to Tay Street, adjacent to the historic Queens Bridge.
The alarm was raised around 10:10 PM, prompting an immediate and robust response. Police, paramedics, and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) swiftly converged on the scene, transforming the tranquil riverside into a hub of urgent activity. The comprehensive search effort lasted for over an hour, with crews diligently scouring the water and riverbanks. Extensive Multi-Agency Response
Eyewitnesses described a notable presence of emergency vehicles, including multiple police cars and vans, two fire engines, an ambulance, and an ambulance service incident response unit. The deployment highlighted the severity with which such calls are treated and the extensive resources allocated to potential life-threatening situations.
As part of the operation, fire crews were observed methodically walking along the Tay Street side of the river, meticulously inspecting the waters below. Further downstream, between the railway bridge and Perth’s harbour, a searchlight from a boat pierced the night, systematically sweeping the river’s surface as two dedicated water rescue units stood by. The Cost of False Alarms
Despite the exhaustive efforts, no individual was found to be in any difficulty. Investigations quickly revealed that the initial report was unfounded, leading to the identification and charging of a 20-year-old man in connection with the malicious call. He is now set to be reported to the procurator fiscal.
Inspector Stephen Gray from Perth Police Station underscored the serious implications of such actions in an official statement: “Around 10.10pm on Wednesday, we received a report of a person in the water near Queens Bridge, Perth. Extensive emergency services searches were carried out, before enquiries established this was a malicious call. A 20-year-old man has been charged and will be reported to the procurator fiscal. Every false or inappropriate call takes up precious time and resources, preventing someone who really needs immediate help from getting it. We will not hesitate to charge those who misuse the 999 system or make hoax contact to any emergency service.”
The sentiment was echoed by a Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman, who confirmed their involvement: “We were alerted at 10pm on Wednesday, 17 September, to reports of a male being heard in the River Tay at Tay Street in Perth. Operations control immediately mobilised two appliances and two water rescue units to the scene. No person was found to be in difficulty. Therefore, crews left the scene at 11.35pm.”
This incident serves as a stark reminder to the Perth and Kinross community about the critical impact of hoax calls. Such misuse of emergency services not only diverts essential personnel and equipment from genuine emergencies but also places a considerable strain on the dedicated men and women who serve and protect our region. Resources that could be responding to a real crisis are tied up, potentially jeopardizing the lives of others in desperate need of immediate assistance.
The prompt and thorough response by local emergency teams, despite the fraudulent nature of the call, demonstrates their unwavering commitment to public safety along the River Tay and across Perthshire. Local residents can be assured that their emergency services remain vigilant and prepared, even as they urge responsible use of the 999 system to ensure help is always available for those who truly require it.
The alarm was raised around 10:10 PM, prompting an immediate and robust response. Police, paramedics, and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) swiftly converged on the scene, transforming the tranquil riverside into a hub of urgent activity. The comprehensive search effort lasted for over an hour, with crews diligently scouring the water and riverbanks. Extensive Multi-Agency Response
Eyewitnesses described a notable presence of emergency vehicles, including multiple police cars and vans, two fire engines, an ambulance, and an ambulance service incident response unit. The deployment highlighted the severity with which such calls are treated and the extensive resources allocated to potential life-threatening situations.
As part of the operation, fire crews were observed methodically walking along the Tay Street side of the river, meticulously inspecting the waters below. Further downstream, between the railway bridge and Perth’s harbour, a searchlight from a boat pierced the night, systematically sweeping the river’s surface as two dedicated water rescue units stood by. The Cost of False Alarms
Despite the exhaustive efforts, no individual was found to be in any difficulty. Investigations quickly revealed that the initial report was unfounded, leading to the identification and charging of a 20-year-old man in connection with the malicious call. He is now set to be reported to the procurator fiscal.
Inspector Stephen Gray from Perth Police Station underscored the serious implications of such actions in an official statement: “Around 10.10pm on Wednesday, we received a report of a person in the water near Queens Bridge, Perth. Extensive emergency services searches were carried out, before enquiries established this was a malicious call. A 20-year-old man has been charged and will be reported to the procurator fiscal. Every false or inappropriate call takes up precious time and resources, preventing someone who really needs immediate help from getting it. We will not hesitate to charge those who misuse the 999 system or make hoax contact to any emergency service.”
The sentiment was echoed by a Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman, who confirmed their involvement: “We were alerted at 10pm on Wednesday, 17 September, to reports of a male being heard in the River Tay at Tay Street in Perth. Operations control immediately mobilised two appliances and two water rescue units to the scene. No person was found to be in difficulty. Therefore, crews left the scene at 11.35pm.”
This incident serves as a stark reminder to the Perth and Kinross community about the critical impact of hoax calls. Such misuse of emergency services not only diverts essential personnel and equipment from genuine emergencies but also places a considerable strain on the dedicated men and women who serve and protect our region. Resources that could be responding to a real crisis are tied up, potentially jeopardizing the lives of others in desperate need of immediate assistance.
The prompt and thorough response by local emergency teams, despite the fraudulent nature of the call, demonstrates their unwavering commitment to public safety along the River Tay and across Perthshire. Local residents can be assured that their emergency services remain vigilant and prepared, even as they urge responsible use of the 999 system to ensure help is always available for those who truly require it.