River Tay search after police incident forces closure of bridge

By Peter John Meiklem

September 12 2018, 4:27pm

A search operation was launched on the River Tay following a police incident at the Dundee waterfront on Wednesday.

Police, the UK coastguard and the RNLI were all involved in the search, which got under way following an “incident” near the Tay Road Bridge.

The UK Coastguard helicopter above the River Tay.

The crossing was closed in both directions and congestion built up on both the Dundee and Fife sides between 4pm and 5pm as a result.

Both the Broughty Ferry RNLI lifeboats and a UK Coastguard helicopter were involved in the search “west of the Tay Road Bridge”.

Early on Wednesday evening a spokesman for the Broughty Ferry lifeboat station said: “Both Broughty Ferry RNLI lifeboats currently involved in search west of the Tay Road Bridge.

“(The) call to the RNLI came in at 4.08pm with the inshore lifeboat launching at 4.13pm and the all weather lifeboat following six minutes later.

“They have been joined by the search and rescue helicopter.”

The Broughty Ferry RNLI were called out.

At about 4.35pm Tay Road Bridge staff tweeted: “Police incident, bridge closed both directions.”

The southbound section of the road was reopened at about 4.45pm. The bridge fully reopened at 4.50pm.

Just before 4.30pm, a Tayside Police Division spokesman said: “Traffic is currently being restricted in the area of the Tay Road Bridge/Riverside Drive due to an on-going incident.

“Please avoid the area if you can.”