A Newport couple have been killed in a plane crash on the west coast of Scotland as an Easter holiday ended in tragedy.
David Rous and his wife Margaret Ann Maclean were flying from Dundee Airport to Tiree to visit family when their private plane crashed in high winds.
A major search-and-rescue operation was launched after radar contact with Mr Rous’ PA28 Piper Cherokee light aircraft was lost on Saturday. Mr Rous is thought to have been at the controls when the alarm was raised.
Teams scoured miles of remote loch and hillside before the wreckage of the plane and the bodies of its two occupants were discovered as darkness fell.
The cause of the accident is now being investigated.
Dr Rous’ sister Johann Maclean paid tribute to her in a message posted on Facebook.
Referencing the Black Eyed Peas’ song Meet Me Halfway, she wrote: “Big sister, it’s our song, I am going to sing this to you everyday for the rest of my life! You were my absolute rock, and I promise to meet you halfway one day! Today has been the hardest day of my life, I love you Minnie xxxx”
She also thanked friends and family for their sympathy messages.
“Thank you all for the heartfelt messages, phone calls and visits,” she wrote. “We appreciate your thoughts at this heartbreaking time xx.”