By Paul Reoch

A MAN drowned in Perthshire yesterday trying to save his dog.

The tragedy happened at about 1.50pm when the man jumped into the River Ericht, near Cargill’s Leap, in Blairgowrie, in an attempt to free his dog.

It is believed he got into difficulties and drowned.

The man’s identity has not been released but it is understood he was 37.

Police refused to comment on the incident, but a spokeswoman for the Scottish Ambulance Service last night confirmed the grim find.

She told The Courier, “The man had been walking his dog at the river bank when it fell in and became stuck near the edge of the river.

“The dog’s owner then jumped in to try to save it but sadly he drowned.”

One source said, “It would appear as if this was just a tragic accident.

“The man seems to have gone into the river looking for his dog, who had gone into the water.

“While the dog survived, tragically the owner didn’t. It’s very sad.”

It is the second such death in the River Ericht within a year. A 21-year-old Blairgowrie man drowned at Cargill’s Leap in July.

Cargill’s Leap is 60 feet deep and has a prominent rock called the Popeye.