Policeman found dead on mountain

JOHN ARLIDGE

Scotland Correspondent

Police rescue teams scouring a Scottish mountain for an injured colleague, who fell into a gully on Sunday, found the body of Detective Sergeant Chris Leggat, 43, yesterday.

Det Sgt Leggat, who was stationed at Strathclyde Police headquarters in Glasgow, spent Sunday night on the 3,000-foot Ben Ime in Argyll in freezing conditions after rescuers failed to reach him. Severe weather forced rescue teams, supported by a Royal Navy helicopter, to call off their search.

At first light yesterday members of Strathclyde Police mountain rescue team joined civilian Arrochar mountain rescuers to comb the mist-shrouded hill. They were supported by a Sea King helicopter from Prestwick.

Det Sgt Leggat, of Inchinnan, Strathclyde, who was married with two sons, was found in the gully where he fell. He had been descending with a companion when he stumbled.

The other man raised the alarm. Det Sgt Leggat's body was taken to base camp in Arrochar last night. Police said his relatives had been informed.

In a separate incident, mountain rescuers called off their search for a man believed to be lost near Glen Dubh, Newtonmore. The climber is thought to have abandoned his plans to take to the hills.