This dramatic picture shows the moment an injured woman was rescued from an Aberdeen river by an RAF helicopter.
The woman, whose age is unknown, became stranded on an island in the River Dee, at the Bridge of Dee – between Garthdee and Kincorth – at around 6.30am yesterday.
The bridge was closed in both directions, causing traffic to pile up around the busy crossing during rush hour.
Police, the Scottish Ambulance Service and Aberdeen coastguard were all called to the incident, which resulted in tailbacks both ways around the Leggart Terrace and Garthdee roundabouts.
An ambulance spokeswoman said: “We attended the scene of the incident, but obviously couldn’t get to the patient.”
Aberdeen Coastguard were then notified of the incident at 6.55am.
They deployed a coastguard team and the Aberdeen inshore lifeboat to the scene, but shallow waters meant the boat could not make it to the island where the woman was stranded.
A coastguard spokesman said: “We got the coastguard team up there and the lifeboat, but the boat couldn’t get up far enough.”
Unable to reach her, RAF Lossiemouth helicopter Rescue-137 was sent to pick her up.
She was then transported to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for treatment. The nature of the woman’s injuries was not known last night.
A police spokeswoman said: “We had concern for a person reported at Bridge of Dee, the ambulance service let us know of it.
“The bridge was closed at either end and the woman was taken to ARI. We were stood down at 8.45am.”
The road diversions around the bridge ceased at 8.45am.
It is not known how the woman ended up on the island.