Authorities have confirmed that British rescue teams are using a drone and search dogs in efforts to locate a hiker from Westchester County, who disappeared while trekking in the Scottish Highlands last week.
Brian McGillicuddy, 64, from Harrison, was last seen around 4 a.m. Thursday in the challenging area near Ben Nevis, the tallest peak in Scotland, according to local reports shared on Facebook by the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team.
During the weekend, drone pilots from the Search and Rescue Aviation Association were involved in the ongoing search.
“These dedicated professionals, many of whom are volunteers, are working tirelessly,” said Kirsten Swanson-McGillicuddy, the missing man’s sister-in-law, in a Facebook post. “The weather conditions in the mountains are still poor and pose risks, but we’re hopeful things will improve soon.”
“I can’t even begin to fathom what Brian is experiencing,” she added.
Swanson-McGillicuddy, along with her sister-in-law Kim, has traveled to Scotland to assist in the search, which now includes at least 46 rescue workers and three dogs, alongside the drone efforts.
“Brian is a well-known figure in the climbing community, valued for many reasons. He is genuinely an incredible person,” she mentioned in a post on Sunday.
McGillicuddy’s legacy runs deep in the local community; for instance, McGillicuddy Stadium at Harrison High School bears his father’s name, who was a noted figure in local finance.
The Chief Constable of Police Scotland remarked, “A significant search operation is ongoing, despite the challenging conditions, with specialized personnel involved.” Gareth Ford urged anyone who may have seen Brian in the area last Thursday, or someone matching his description, to come forward.
“Even the tiniest detail could greatly assist our search efforts,” he emphasized.
Throughout this ordeal, his family continues to hold onto hope for a positive outcome.
“We’re holding out for a miracle,” Swanson-McGillicuddy expressed in a post on Tuesday.
