A woman who went missing while swimming in Scotland is the wife of rugby legend Scott Hastings, her family has confirmed.
Jenny Hastings, 60, went missing after going for a group swim in the Firth of Forth in Edinburgh on Tuesday afternoon.
The Hastings family said they were “absolutely heartbroken” by the news, adding that Jenny had “struggled with her mental health for a number of years”.
A massive search was launched in Wardie Bay by boat and helicopter but rescuers were called off on Wednesday.
In an emotional statement last night, his devastated family said his loss would leave “a huge void in all of our hearts”.
The mother of two had previously attempted suicide and the Hastings family said this week’s disappearance was “being treated as a high-risk missing person case.”
Jenny Hastings went missing earlier this week during a wild swimming session in Edinburgh.
Scott and Jenny Hastings on their wedding day
They added: ‘As many of you know, Jenny struggled with her mental health for a number of years and was ultimately unable to cope on this occasion.
‘She swam into the Firth of Forth from Wardie Bay in Edinburgh and appears to have wished to end her suffering in what was a familiar and healing place for her.
‘She loved the water but unfortunately her mind was not in a safe place.
“The Hastings family is absolutely heartbroken.”
The family, who revealed the devastating news last night, said: “We miss our Jenny. She leaves a huge void in our hearts and we hope she is returned to us safely so we can celebrate her extraordinary life.”
The statement was signed “with the greatest love” and attributed to her husband Scott, Corey, Daniel, Kerry-Anne and Ian.
A massive search and rescue operation began in the Firth of Forth on Tuesday afternoon, with coastguard helicopters zig-zagging around the estuary in a desperate attempt to find her.
Lifeboat crews were also deployed in the water as they searched for Ms Hastings and emergency services were alerted to a “report of concern” shortly before 3pm.
But the search was ultimately unsuccessful and the coastguard called it off after more than five hours.
Ms Hastings has previously spoken about her long-standing struggle with severe depression.
He has suffered from the disease throughout his adult life and has previously made attempts on his own life.
Mrs Hastings’ disappearance sparked a major search in the Firth of Forth
Emergency services were called to the scene at 2.45pm on Tuesday after a wild swimmer went missing after heading into the Firth of Forth (pictured: Coastguard rescue crews)
The couple had previously revealed that she tried to commit suicide by eating nuts in an attempt to trigger a severe allergy and Hastings had to administer an adrenaline injection to save her life.
They also revealed that he once “panicked and ran” and, over a period of 36 hours, walked around 25 miles from Leith to the Pentland Hills before going to a police station.
She did not have a phone with her and was unable to contact her husband as he desperately searched for her.
Speaking about the incident, Ms Hastings said: “It’s horrible to think about, but the reality is I just wanted to get away.
“I wanted to be alone. I thought no one would want me around. It’s horrible, it’s a horrible disease.”
Mr Hastings is one of Scotland’s greatest ever players, having won 65 caps for his country and represented the British and Irish Lions on two occasions.
He had previously described his wife’s disappearances as a form of self-harm.
In 2017, Hastings said: “It’s clinical depression. Being an illness, it just happens.
‘I have a lot of respect for Jenny because she has an extraordinary ability to talk about things, and when she’s so depressed it’s very difficult to get her to do anything.
‘She suffers from lack of self-respect, low self-esteem, exhaustion, low energy levels, but somehow she is able to reverse it and by walking, swimming, doing yoga and leaving the building, she is able to overcome it.
“We have had three very acute episodes in the last three years, but each time you learn a little more.”
A massive search and rescue operation was launched after Jenny failed to emerge with the rest of the group towards the shore at Wardie Bay (pictured: a helicopter hovering overhead)
The search continued with police presence in Granton Harbour (pictured: a boat searching for the missing woman)
Mr Hastings added: “People have other ways of self-harming, some people cut themselves. Jenny feels she is a burden on her family and me so her way of doing it is to run away. She walked to Pentlands and went 36 hours without contact.
‘It’s happened several times and this time it was longer. She was gone maybe eight, nine, ten hours, but this time it was serious because it became a very long time.
‘I used to be embarrassed by Jenny’s illness because there was a stigma around mental health. But everyone is susceptible and it’s okay to talk about it.
‘Exercise has played a big part in Jenny’s recovery and getting outdoors often has huge benefits.’
-For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support
