Police divers searching Loch Ken for a missing swimmer found a body on Tuesday afternoon.
The search had been under way since Sunday following reports that a 28-year-old man from the Carlisle area went swimming near the old viaduct at Parton and failed to come out of the water.
The alarm was raised by his friends.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “A body was found in Loch Ken around 1.50pm on Tuesday, June 20, following a search for a man seen in difficulty on Sunday, June 18.
“His next of kin have been informed but formal identification has still to take place.
“The death is not believed to be suspicious and a report will be sent to the procurator fiscal in due course.”
Loch Ken trust officer, Barnaby Fryer, said: “Everyone at Loch Ken Trust is devastated by the tragic news.
“Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those involved.
“We would like to thank all of the emergency services and other agencies that were involved in responding to the
incident.
“We urge everyone to take care when on or around water and to take all relevant safety precautions when using Loch Ken.”
Coastguard teams from Kirkcudbright and Portling were dispatched to the scene on Sunday along with police divers, the fire brigade, Nith Inshore Rescue, Loch Ken Trust’s ranger service and the HM Coastguard
helicopter.
The search was called off late on Sunday night and continued on Monday before a body was found on Tuesday.
Senior coastguard operations officer at Kirkcudbright, Stewart Bryden, said the temperature of the water was only around nine degrees despite the recent heat wave and has warned people to take care.
He said: “Entering the water at this time of year, lochs especially, is dangerous due to the cold temperatures.
“Lochs don’t heat up as much as people think. They’re deep and they’ve got pools.
“People need to take care and should use life jackets.”
Mr Bryden thanked the emergency services and all the locals who had been helping in the search.
• For more information about open water safety, visit www.rlss.org.uk/pages/category/open-water-safety-tips
