AN in-flight emergency sparked a multi-agency response to Prestwick Airport.

Due to the airport being close to the coast, Troon’s RNLI Lifeboat crew, along with the Ayr and Ardrossan Coastguard Team, were called to assist following an aircraft declaring an in-flight emergency at around 1.15pm on Monday, August 6.

The volunteer crew assembled at the station and the Trent class lifeboat ‘RNLB Jim Moffat’ launched taking up a position near the airport.

Shortly after arriving at the location, confirmation came through that the aircraft had landed safely.

Later that day, it is understood that at around 6pm Troon Lifeboat Crew were called to assist following a request from Police Scotland to help in a missing person search.

A spokesperson for Troon RNLI, said: “The volunteer crew attended at the lifeboat station to launch the Trent class all-weather lifeboat ‘RNLB Jim Moffat’ and the D class inshore lifeboat ‘Sheena’ to assist in the search at Irvine.

“Also tasked were the Ayr and Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team who were carrying out a shore line search with Police officers from Ayrshire Police Division and specialist resources including the Police helicopter and dog unit.

“The lifeboats made best speed north towards Irvine with the all-weather boat searching outside the harbour and the D Class lifeboat within the harbour area searching the River Irvine and the River Garnock.

“After searching for over an hour, information came through from the Police that the missing person had been traced by officers.

“The lifeboats then returned to Troon where they were made ‘Ready for Service’ with assistance of the shore crew.”