A missing teenager’s mobile phone has been discovered by the side of the river Tay near Perth.
The find was made on Sunday morning by a member of the public near to Woody Island, where Kathleen Harkin was last seen on Saturday evening.
The 15-year-old was to have been picked up in Perth by her parents after spending time with friends but never made the rendezvous.
More than 50 searchers have been out since first light hunting for the Perth Grammar School youngster.
Friends have taken to social media in huge numbers to post hopes for her safe return and call for her to come home.
Her distraught family are thought to have been in close contact with searchers whose efforts have so far been in vain.
Area Commander for Perth and Kinross Chief Inspector Maggie Pettigrew said the search for Kathleen remains a missing person inquiry and that there is no indication of any other suspicious circumstances.
She said: “Kathleen was last seen prior to 9pm on Saturday night in the area of Woody Island in Perth, just behind North Muirton.
“We have had no other positive sightings since that time.
“Kathleen’s mobile phone was found by a member of the public in that area and was handed in to us on Sunday morning.”
Chief Inspector Pettigrew described Woody Island as “difficult and dangerous terrain”, though it remains a popular spot for youths to play.
The terrain has required the deployment of specialist teams to the river, riverbank and surrounding land.
“We have the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, their boat and raft support units, mountain rescue teams, both police and civilian, doing water and banking searches.
“We have police dogs and the police helicopter up above the area.
“We are focusing on where she was last seen and want to make sure it is searched thoroughly.
“That search is just one part of our operation, however, and we continue to speak to friends, family and anyone who knows Kathleen.”
UPDATE (October 10, 17:30): A female body has been retrieved from the River Tay this afternoon. The identity is as yet unknown.
