SEARCH CONTINUES AFTER XMAS ACCIDENT The men were gone but their fishing gear was floating in the water

Pals pay tribute to 'gem of a man' after angling trip ends in tragedy

-  LYNN LOVE

THE search for a missing fisherman is ongoing after a Christmas Eve tragedy claimed the life of his friend.

It is understood that the men were angling in Gartmorn Dam, near Sauchie, in Clackmannanshire on December 24 when they got into trouble around 12pm.

A rescue mission was launched but police confirmed one of the men was found dead on Boxing Day.

Ian McBurney, from Alloa, was named locally as the first victim of the accident.

His friend is still missing.

Residents living near the scene say the alarm was raised after reports that the men's fishing equipment was discovered floating in the water.

One woman said: "Two men went fishing in a boat.

"The boat and men were gone but all their fishing gear was seen floating in the water."