Mystery of missing couple puzzles police after car washes up on beach

Police 'very worried' after pair's Ford Kuga discovered empty in area of southwest Scotland hit by stormy weather and flooding

Police launched a search for Susan and James Kenneavy after their car was found on a beach during bad weather (PA)

Police have launched a major search for a couple whose car was found “washed up” on a beach in southwest Scotland.

James and Susan Kenneavy’s empty Ford Kuga was discovered on the coast near Stranraer amid stormy weather on Thursday morning.

Police said they were “very worried” about the couple, who have not been seen at home or in touch with family.

Air, sea and land searches were launched after their car was found at 7.30am on a beach in Drummore, where heavy rain had flooded a coastal road.

The area was lashed by strong winds and downpours as Storm Diana swept over the UK’s west coast on Thursday.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Search teams worked into the night searching the Drummore coast after the couple’s grey Ford Kuga was found washed up.”

Coastguard rescue teams and police officers resumed efforts to find the couple on Friday.

Inspector Craig Nicolson, of Dumfries and Galloway Police, said: “We are very worried about Mr and Mrs Kenneavy.

“We know the Drummore coastal road was closed last night due to coastal flooding, but I would ask anyone who saw the vehicle or knows the whereabouts of the couple to contact Police Scotland.”

Anyone with information is asked to phone 101, quoting incident number 0474.