A young boy was was in hospital last night after plunging more than 30ft onto rocks near a north-east lighthouse.
The emergency services were called to Buchan Ness Lighthouse at Boddam at around 2.30pm yesterday, after reports that the child had lost his footing and plummeted from a cliff.
A coastguard rope rescue team from Cruden Bay, a team from Peterhead and a backup rope rescue team from Banff were all dispatched, along with the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 151 from Inverness.
Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance was also sent out to the emergency, along with the Peterhead RNLI lifeboat team.
A coastguard spokesman said crews had to treat the youngster for “multiple injuries” as the Coastguard copter found a landing spot inside the lighthouse grounds.
He said: “The casualty was accessible over rocks without requiring technical rope equipment, and received treatment at the scene for multiple injuries.
“The difficult location meant an airlift by R151 to a landing site in the lighthouse grounds was most appropriate.
“He was then transferred to land ambulance for transport to hospital.”
The spokesman said the incident should serve as a reminder for people to take care while walking along cliffs.
He added: “The coastline can have many hidden dangers, and a simple slip off a path can result in a nasty accident.
“Please stay alert while enjoying the coastline, and if you do get into difficulty, remember to dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.”
Buchan Ness Lighthouse Holidays, which hosts holiday homes in the renovated lighthouse keeper’s cottages, wished the injured boy well in a post on social media last night.
The holiday company said: “We hope the young boy is okay, and wish him a speedy recovery.
“Please all, take care walking round the lighthouse and especially when walking with dogs or cycling, it can be treacherous.
“Love and thoughts to the boy and his family.”