Divers join large-scale search for missing Stornoway teenager

Divers are due to join a large-scale search for a teenager who went missing in freezing weather on the Isle of Lewis last week.

Aleksandr Benga, 16, was last seen near a water wheel in the grounds of Stornoway’s Lews Castle at about 08:45 on Monday 18 November.

A search was launched and has so far involved 50 people including specialist police officers and mountain rescue volunteers, as well as search and rescue dogs.

Police have also been stopping drivers to ask if they have seen the teenager.

Area commander Jane MacKenzie appealed to the public to check dashcam footage and private CCTV for any images of Aleksandr.

She told BBC Naidheachdan: “We are very concerned for Aleksandr given the weather conditions over the last week, especially out in the open.

“Hopefully he has sought shelter somewhere.”

A search is being made of a wide area, and includes sheilings – which are small shelters crofters used in summer while tending livestock.

Specialist search officers from Aberdeen and Inverness joined the effort last week.

Hebrides, Dundonnell and Assynt mountain rescue teams and Search and Rescue Dogs Association Scotland have also been involved.

Divers are due to carry out searches of areas of water around Lews Castle, a 19th Century property now run as a tourist destination.

The teenager is described as 6ft 2ins tall, of slim build with short brown hair.

When he was last seen he was wearing a beige jumper and black jeans. He may also have a red jacket and a yellow beanie hat.