ISLANDERS have told of their shock after a woman died after getting into difficulty in the water near an Outer Hebrides beach.
It is understood the woman, identified as Agnes Proudhon-Smith, 50, from London had been standing on the rocky shore taking photographs before she ended up in the water on the Isle of Harris.
HM Coastguard received a 999 call from a member of the public at 7.45am saying that the woman was in trouble at Niseaboist Beach, in the south west of the island.
Rescue teams from Scalpay and Tarbert, were joined by the Leverburgh RNLI lifeboat and the woman was recovered from the water by a coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Stornoway.
She was taken to Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway where she was pronounced dead.
Some locals believe the woman was a member of a photography group from England either slipped or was caught by a wave.
Police Scotland confirmed she had died following the incident on the beach which they described as "unexplained" although they did not believe there were any suspicious circumstances.
A Leverburgh Lifeboat spokesman said: "We are so saddened by the outcome of this morning’s shout. We are thinking of everyone affected at this time."
At nearby Talla n Mara, the community enterprise centre which overlooks the golden sands of the beach, which is known as popular spot for surfing enthusiasts, staff arrived at work to hear of the tragedy.
Linda Armstrong of the West Harris Trust which owns and manages the centre and nearly 30 square miles of land with an aim to attract new residents and attract new homes and jobs in a scattered community of over 120, said people had taken the news badly.
"It happened before we arrived in the morning. It is pretty nasty. We don't have too many fatalities on the shores here, but when they do happen it really effects everybody.
"We do certainly see people surfing there but I wouldn't say the waters here are renowned for being dangerous, although it was pretty choppy down there."
READ MORE: Woman swept out to sea on idyllic island beach
The beach looks out towards the uninhabited island of Taransay - the setting of the BBC series Castaway 2000 which launched Ben Fogle on his TV career.
Western Isles, Skye and Lochaber Coastguard paid their respects saying: "We wish to extend our deepest condolences to the casualty’s family and friends. Our thoughts are with you all."
Police Scotland said that next of kin had been made aware of the death.
Inspector Jane Nicolson said: "Our thoughts first and foremost are with the woman's family and friends.
"We are carrying out enquiries to establish the full circumstances which have led to her death and this work is at an early stage.
"The death is currently unexplained, though initial enquiries suggest there are no suspicious circumstances.
"We are grateful for the assistance of our partners in the emergency services and members of the public in relation to this incident."
It comes five years after research scientist Rosemary Wickstead, drowned in front of her husband while saving one of their three sons after he got into difficulty while swimming off the coast in the north east of the island.
Doctor's wife Mrs Wickstead, 45, from Herne Hill, south London, was at a Traigh Mhor beach when the family got into trouble.
Mr Wickstead tried to resuscitate his wife before the emergency services arrived.
She was flown by air ambulance 40 miles to the Western Isles hospital in Stornoway where she died.
Waters near to the picturesque Traigh Mhor, famous as home of the the world's only beach landing strip at Barra airport, were known to have strong currents and rip tides.
West Harris is known for its spectacular beaches, flower-rich machair making it a much sought-after holiday location.
The Trust was formed when the crofting townships of Losgaintir, Seilebost, Horgabost, Na Buirgh and Sgarasta Mhor were purchased in January 2010 by the local community from the Scottish Government.
Talla na Mara was developed to address the needs of the community, local businesses and visitors to West Harris and includes offices and business space for affordable lease, plus a hub for creative industries, visual & performance arts, a meeting space for private hire and community events, a restaurant and campervan hook-ups.
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