Body found in hunt for missing kayaker
Rescuers searching for a kayaker missing since the weekend have found a body.
Rescuers searching for a kayaker missing since the weekend have found a body.
Dominic Jackson, 35, was reported missing on Sunday night after he failed to return from a sea kayaking trip in Portsoy, on the north coast of Aberdeenshire.
A kayak believed to belong to him was recovered near Lybster in Caithness, around 50 miles from Portsoy, earlier this week.
Police Scotland said a body was recovered from the water near Lybster on Thursday.
It has still to be formally identified but Mr Jackson's family have been informed.
Inspector Kevin Goldie said: "I can confirm that a body was discovered in the water near Lybster at around midday today during air searches by the Police Scotland helicopter. Wick lifeboat was also launched to assist.
"Formal identification has yet to take place, however the family of missing person Dominic Jackson has been updated and we are liaising closely with them.
"Further information will be released when available."
Mr Jackson had travelled to Portsoy from his home in Fettercairn, south Aberdeenshire, on Friday.
A major land, air and sea search had been under way since he was reported missing on Sunday.
Around 10 members of Mr Jackson's family including his father Jeremy Jackson, brothers Stuart Jackson and Leighton Chubb and sister Kirstie Maywood joined the search efforts in the north east.
The family is originally from Uckfield near Brighton but Mr Jackson, one of six siblings, lived in Aberdeenshire for around 13 years, running a gardening business in the Laurencekirk area.
More than 1,000 people joined a Find Dom Facebook page which was set up to help co-ordinate the search for him.
In a post on the page, his sister Ellie Jackson, who lives in Australia, said: "We have taken such strength from this international community of people who have come together at such a difficult time for Dom's family and friends and all those who knew him.
"Our heartfelt thanks must go out to all the people on the ground that worked tirelessly together to look for my brother.
"I must also thank the thousands of well-wishers and prayers from right around the world that have kept us all going through this ordeal.
"It is impossible to convey our thanks to everyone. For now I will be stopping posting on the page to focus on my family and Dom, but hope you can all share your thoughts together.
"It has been quite an ordeal for everyone and we are just so thankful that we finally have an outcome, even if it is not the one we have all been praying for.
"I have felt all along that Dom has been at peace with whatever outcome has befallen him and would have accepted his fate in good spirits, which was his nature. As Dom would have said 'Blessings to you all'."