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A major search and rescue operation was launched on Hogmanay when an Arran farmer reported seeing a paraglider falling into the sea off the west coast of the island.
The four-hour search was called off when coastguards decided that it was almost certainly a wayward Chinese lantern and not a paraglider.
Charlie McAllister was feeding the beasts at his Corriecravie farm late on Thursday afternoon.
He told the Banner: ‘It was just getting dark when I looked up and saw what appeared to be a paraglider going overhead; we’re quite used to seeing them over here.
‘It was about 500 feet up and heading out to sea. Then it came down and ditched in the water about a quarter of a mile out.’
Charlie is an experienced volunteer firefighter and he telephoned the emergency services immediately.
A Greenock coastguard spokesman said: ‘We received a call at 4.43pm and alerted Arran coastguards by 4.53pm.’
They were on scene at 5.06pm, just 13 minutes later.
He continued: ‘The Campbeltown lifeboat and a search and rescue Sea King helicopter 117 from HMS Gannet in Prestwick were also mustered. The search was called off at 9.18pm with no sign of anyone in the water.
‘The incident is being treated as a false alarm with good intent.’
David Shaw, Galloway sector manager for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, told the Banner: ‘We think Mr McAllister saw a Chinese lantern which can quite easily be mistaken for a paraglider in the half light.
‘I witnessed nine or 10 of them being launched in the Troon area and float over my house on Thursday afternoon. They drifted west on the wind and we believe that there is a 99 percent likelihood that one of these fell into the Kilbrannan Sound off Arran.
‘Mr McAllister is to be commended for taking the right action; we treat every callout as a genuine emergency.’
Mr Shaw added that it could have been someone celebrating New Year early. He said: ‘Many people now use these lanterns instead of fireworks at a party. They are becoming increasingly popular and last longer and are cheaper than fireworks.
‘I would ask anyone intending to launch Chinese lanterns to contact Greenock Coastguard operations room on 01475 729988 or the local police on 302573. They can travel several miles before floating down to earth or ditching in the sea and cause an unnecessary callout.’
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