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Council workers rescued after getting stuck under Potarch Bridge

Potarch Bridge over the River Dee this evening. Image: Darrell Benns/ DC Thomson.
Potarch Bridge over the River Dee this evening. Image: Darrell Benns/ DC Thomson.

Two council workers have been rescued by firefighters after getting stuck under Potarch Bridge.

Fire crews were called to the River Dee crossing, near Kincardine O’Neil, at 11.40am.

Two male Aberdeenshire Council road workers were clearing flood debris when they got cut off by rising river levels.

Three appliances and two water rescue teams attended and the workers were rescued safely at 1.40pm.

Aberdeen Coastguard was also on-standby, but the helicopter was not required.

Aberdeenshire Council has now launched an investigation into the incident.

The top of Potarch Bridge over the River Dee after water levels had risen. Image: Darrell Benns / DC Thomson.

A fire service spokeswoman said: “We were alerted at 11:41am on Wednesday January 4 to reports of persons in difficulty at Potarch Bridge, Aberdeenshire.

“Operations Control mobilised three appliances and two water rescue teams to assist two male casualties.

“Both were handed into the care of the Ambulance Service and crews left shortly after.”

Aberdeenshire Council said: “Earlier today, a team of roads workers was clearing flood debris from below Potarch Bridge when two members became cut-off by rising river levels.

“Emergency services responded quickly to the incident and were able to safely remove the men. They have been checked over by paramedics and are in good health.”

The incident comes just weeks after 19-year-old Dylan Atkinson was killed when his car landed in the river following a two-car crash.

The tragedy happened further upstream, on the outskirts of Aboyne, at about 8am on December 19.

Both vehicles landed in the water, where they remain secured until emergency services can safely recover them.

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