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Former Perthshire paratrooper dies in Lanzarote diving accident

Puerto del Carmen lies to the west of Lanzarote's capital city, Arrecife.
Puerto del Carmen lies to the west of Lanzarote's capital city, Arrecife.

A former paratrooper from Perthshire has died in a diving accident while on holiday.

Billy Clephane, from Scone, was on the sunshine island of Lanzarote on Saturday when he got into difficulties.

Despite desperate attempts to save him after he was pulled from the water, the 59-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.

His family said they were too upset to speak about the tragedy when approached by The Courier last night.

However, one family member said: “It’s been a shock and we’re just trying to come to terms with our grief.”

The exact circumstances have not been made clear but it is believed he became ill while diving a hobby in which he regularly indulged.

A former welder, Mr Clephane had been in the 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment for almost a decade. He had retained his links with former colleagues and was branch chairman of the Perth Parachute Regimental Association.

Reports stated he had been swimming at the Puerto del Carmen area of Lanzarote, one of the Canary Islands.

He was taken by a passing boat to the harbour and waiting medics but they could not revive him.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We can confirm the death of a British national in Lanzarote on May 4. We are providing consular assistance to the family at this difficult time.”

Mr Clephane is the second British national to drown in the waters off Lanzarote in recent weeks.

43-year-old Steve Potter from the north of England, was swimming at Famara Beach on the opposite side of the island on April 23 when he was killed.