Police have confirmed that a body recovered from the Solway Firth has been formally identified as 74-year-old Shona Campbell, who became trapped in quicksand whilst walking her dog.
Campbell got into difficulty near Cummertrees, in Dumfries and Galloway, on Monday evening, prompting a large-scale emergency response.
Her body was discovered on Tuesday evening following an extensive search operation involving multiple rescue teams.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: "Her death is being treated as unexplained but not believed to be suspicious and a report will be sent to the procurator fiscal."
Shona Campbell
PA/Police ScotlandCampbell had been staying at West Moss-side Caravan Park with her family when she ventured out for a walk with her dog on Monday evening.
She dialled 999 around 5pm after becoming stuck in mud near the mouth of the River Nith, just an hour before high tide.
Around 40 emergency responders were mobilised, including specialist police officers, Coastguard teams from Annan, Burgh-by-Sands and Portling, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Scottish Ambulance Service.
The initial search was suspended around 11pm due to darkness and resumed the following morning.
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A search and rescue helicopter from Prestwick was also deployed to assist in the operation.
HM Coastguard senior coastal operations officer Stewart Bryden described the recovery as "treacherous" and particularly challenging due to the conditions.
"We had to work in the quicksand - and it was difficult for the helicopter as the winchman had gone down to recover the lady and had nowhere to stand as it was that soft," he said.
The rescue teams had to deploy specialist mud platforms, with one becoming completely submerged in the quicksand.
Campbell got into difficulty near Cummertrees, in Dumfries and Galloway
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"Nobody would have spotted her walking along the estuary with a dog, she was well out," Bryden explained.
"She's been heading back home, she tried to cross a bit of the Lochar channel and she has got caught in a pocket of quicksand."
Bryden issued a stark warning about the dangers of the Solway Firth, which is known for having some of the fastest tidal movements in Europe.
"The Solway can be unforgiving. People need to be very mindful, especially if they don't come from the area, of where they're walking," he said.
Large areas of mudflats surround the estuaries of the River Nith and River Annan, with many sections vulnerable to quicksand.
Visitors are strongly advised to inform someone of their planned route and expected return time when walking in the area.
The Solway Firth is the third largest estuary in the UK and has seen multiple rescue operations in recent years.
