Couple fined after getting stranded on rock on coast during coronavirus lockdown

A couple were stranded on a rock the Argyll coastline
AFP via Getty Images
Rebecca Speare-Cole22 April 2020
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A couple have been fined after getting stranded on a rock on the Scottish coast during the coronavirus lockdown.

A 26-year-old woman and 32-year-old man were recovered by a "challenging" multi-agency rescue operation in the Cowal Peninsula on Monday night.

The pair had called emergency services to report they were stranded on a rock after going for a walk on the Argyll coastline.

The rescue team finally found them safely at 11pm, Police Scotland said.

The couple were then fined for breaching Covid-19 legislation.

It comes as emergency services face unprecedented levels of demand as the nation battles the pandemic.

Police Scotland said that local officers, traffic officers and air police were deployed in order to locate the couple stranded on a rock.

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In a statement, the force said: "This was a challenging incident for police who requested the assistance of coastguard rescue teams in order to trace the pair."

Sergeant David Hardie also said: "This was a large scale rescue operation which consisted of various police resources including the Air Support Unit and Roads Policing Officers.

"We also had support from Coastguard rescue teams based in Dunoon, Kames and Greenock.

"The Coastguard Helicopter from Prestwick was deployed along with RNLI Lifeboats from Largs, Helensburgh and Tighnabruaich.

"Thankfully the persons were found safe and well however this incident should be a reminder to all that government guidance around essential travel should be obeyed in order to protect yourself and the emergency services at this challenging time."

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