Dead woman found in sea at Sumburgh

THE BODY of a 42 year old woman was recovered from the sea off the north west side of Sumburgh Head, in Shetland, on Sunday afternoon.

The police were alerted at 2pm and immediately set in action a major search and rescue operation involving the Sumburgh-based search and rescue operation, the Lerwick lifeboat, Lerwick and Sumburgh shore-based coastguard teams and the local fire crew.

The woman was recovered and the entire incident was over by 3pm.

Police said last on Sunday night that the death was not thought to be suspicious and a report of the circumstances would be submitted to the procurator fiscal.

Earlier on Sunday the coastguard and lifeboat responded to a distress call about a person in the water from a vessel in Symbister harbour, on Whalsay.

After a full search of the area the police realised this had been a hoax and charged an 18 year old man with making the call. A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.