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Teenager died in Dumfries river incident days after 18th birthday

News imagePolice Scotland A teenage with short brown hair and glasses looks at the cameraPolice Scotland
Benjamin Glen celebrated his birthday last week

Police have named a teenager who died in a river incident just days after his 18th birthday.

Benjamin Glen, from Dumfries, died after getting into difficulty on a stretch of the River Nith in his hometown.

Emergency services were called out at about 18:50 on Thursday to reports of a person in the water near the Kingholm Road area of the town and his body was recovered.

His death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.

In a separate incident, a body was recovered from a remote loch in the Highlands after a 17-year-old boy got into difficulty on the same day.

News imageA winding stretch of the River Nith with gravelly banks and trees down either side with hills in the distance and hazy, cloudy, light blue sky overhead. There is a footpath on the left hand side of the river, and steps can be seen going down into the water.
A riverside path runs from Dock Park to Kingholm Quay

In Dumfries, Portling and Annan coastguard rescue teams were involved in the search along with the Nith Inshore Rescue lifeboat.

Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) were also in attendance.

Dumfries and Galloway Council confirmed the teenager was a former pupil at a school in the region.

A spokesperson said: "This is a sad day for Dumfries and Galloway. Our thoughts are with the family and friends at this very tragic time.

"Measures are in place to support young people and staff, and their wellbeing remains our priority."

News imageA circular, orange container marked LIFEBUOY. It is dirty and has a sticker on it advising people to call 999 for the coastguard. It is next to a grassy verge and there is a river visible beyond.
Emergency services were called to the River Nith near Dumfries on Thursday

SFRS area commander Derek Heaton said it sent two fire appliances and a number of specialist water rescue resources, but a man died at the scene.

He added: "Our thoughts are very much with his family, friends and the wider community at this difficult time."

The SAS confirmed that it sent two ambulances to the incident and a woman had also been taken to hospital at the nearby Dumfries Infirmary.

The incident happened on one of the hottest days of the year so far, in an area popular with dog walkers, joggers and cyclists.

The River Nith is tidal and water levels can rise and fall rapidly. A riverside path runs from the Dock Park out to Kingholm Quay.

There is easy access down to the riverside in numerous locations on both sides of the water and shallow bankings nearby.