LOWER LARGO, Scotland, April 12 (UPI) -- A Scottish coast guard crew called to the scene of a reported small plane crash said they instead discovered a 5-foot-tall Mickey Mouse balloon.

A spokesman for the coast guard in the Fife council area said a member of the public reported seeing an object he believed to be a small plane crash into Largo Bay shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday but the crew instead found the helium balloon of the popular Disney cartoon character, The (Glasgow) Daily Record reported Monday.

"Mickey was taken on board but he was found to be unresponsive," the spokesman joked. "A sweep of the area was carried out but there was no sign of Minnie."

The spokesman said microlight planes had been spotted in the area earlier in the day and a thorough search was carried out by another lifeboat crew and a Navy helicopter.

"The witness contacted us on Sunday to ask about the outcome of the incident and he was extremely apologetic," the spokesman said. "But we were able to assure him that we are happy to turn out when a member of the public believes somebody is in trouble."

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Funny story but great to know Coasties are there!


Mike Shappell
www.themanshed.com
TMS-20 Builder
G-Cat 5.7 - Current Boat
NACRA 5.2 - early 70's