A grandfather at the centre of a dramatic coastline rescue was home from hospital last night and said he was lucky to be alive.
Mike Williams was blown on to rocks by gale-force winds while walking his dog outside his home at Gadle Braes at Peterhead.
As he lay unconscious on the ground, his faithful collie-cross Sammy stayed at his side until help arrived.
The accident, which happened late on Friday night, sparked a major rescue effort involving the police, ambulance, coastguard and local lifeboat.
Mr Williams was taken by RAF Sea King helicopter to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary’s high dependency unit where he received treatment for broken ribs and head injuries.
Doctors told the 63-year-old he was lucky to have survived the fall.
Back home with his wife Marie, the father-of-three said: “I was out walking the dog, but after that I don’t remember anything apart the noise of the helicopter. I must have come to when I was inside it, but then I passed out again.
“The next thing I knew, I was in hospital with my boss, Tracey Smith, holding my hand. She spent the whole night in the hospital with my wife.”
Mr Williams, a vehicle co-ordinator for Peterhead-based AJS Contract Cars, said: “It was a stormy night, but I never gave it a thought because its just beside my own house.
“I know I’m really fortunate to be here. The doctors said I had a lucky escape and its all thanks to everyone who was involved in the rescue. The staff at the hospital were fantastic too.
“I’ll be going to church on Sunday after this.”
Mr Williams and his wife moved from Birmingham to the Buchan area 10 years ago to be closer to his beloved Peterhead FC.
The pair were married in the town in 2001 – the day before a home match.
Mrs Williams, 39, said she and her husband were taking Sammy for his nightly walk just after 10pm on Friday when the incident occurred.
“He had changed his shoes so he had something more sensible on his feet,” she said. “I was in high heels and he was telling me to be careful.
“I’m not sure if he shouted, but I turned to see him standing on the grass, I turned away to see where the dog was and then I looked back and he was gone. That’s how quick it happened.
“Eventually, I saw him about 5m (16ft) out on the rocks. I feared the worst, but then I saw him move his arm. He was trying to pull himself up, but he started moving out towards the sea instead of coming back in.”
Peterhead’s lifeboat crew were called out but were unable to reach him.