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Missing tractor man hunt resumes Missing tractor man 'hopes fade'
(about 1 hour later)
A search operation for an elderly man whose tractor was swept into an Aberdeenshire river during floods has resumed. Hopes are fading for an 81-year-old man whose tractor was swept into a river in Aberdeenshire during floods.
Sandy Henderson, aged in his 80s, has been missing from the Kintore area since Thursday morning. Sandy Henderson has been missing from the Kintore area since Thursday. It is thought he may have been trying to rescue cattle near the River Don.
A major search - including an RAF helicopter, police divers and coastguards - was launched, but was stood down on safety grounds. A major search was stood down on safety grounds but has now resumed.
The operation resumed again at 0900 BST on Friday. Grampian Police Insp Neil Cameron said: "We remain in constant contact with the family, however as time progresses, we are all beginning to fear the worst."
It is thought Mr Henderson may have been trying to rescue cattle after the River Don burst its banks when the accident happened. The operation resumed at 0900 BST.
'Recover tractor'
Insp Cameron said: "The search began again in earnest this morning as soon as weather conditions allowed safe access to the area for emergency service personnel.
"We plan to continue searching today for as long as the weather and light allows.
"The focus at the moment is ensuring that we can recover the tractor which, although the water level has dropped slightly, remains underwater."
An RAF helicopter, police divers and coastguards were involved in the search on Thursday.