Police say identifying body found at Lower Largo could take another week

A body found on a Fife beach on Thursday might not be identified until the end of next week, police have said.

Officers contacted the family of missing angler David Stead in the wake of the discovery at Lower Largo, but an official identification has yet to be made.

Mr Stead, 47, is believed to have died after the small boat he was on capsized in the Forth on August 10.

He had been fishing with friends Birrell Stewart, 30, and Jason Buchan, 35, off East Wemyss when tragedy struck.

A major rescue operation swung into action involving lifeboats from Kinghorn and Anstruther, an RAF helicopter and three coastguard teams.

Mr Stewart was found pulled from the water and taken to Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, where he died.

Despite the efforts of the rescuers, Mr Buchan and Mr Stead could not be traced.

On Wednesday afternoon, the day of Mr Stewart’s funeral, police were called to the shore of West Wemyss following the discovery of a body there.

It was confirmed on Thursday the body was that of Mr Buchan.

Police said human remains found on the West Sands in St Andrews on August 16/17 were not thought to be connected to the fishing boat tragedy.