An Angus man had to climb a tree to escape a rising river before being rescued by RAF helicopter yesterday.
Allan Hemmings, who owns the Gannochy Estate near Edzell, said he had been fishing at a small island spot on the River South Esk for the last 10 years but had never seen the water levels rise so quickly.
The 73-year-old had to climb a tree when the fast moving river covered the island just before 1pm.
Seven fire appliances, including the river rescue teams from Dundee and Perth, attended at the location near Edzell.
Police and ambulance crews were also called to the scene.
A helicopter was dispatched from RAF Lossiemouth. Mr Hemmings was winched to safety at around 3.15pm.
Mr Hemmings said: “The emergency services were excellent. They did a very professional job and communicated with me all the time, assuring me that the helicopter would be here soon.
“I found a good tree on the island and never felt in real danger. After a while the water level decreased again and I was able to climb down and walk about the island until the helicopter came.”
Brechin and Edzell councillor and farmer Bob Myles, who assisted the emergency services with the rescue, said it showed the river’s “tremendous force” and demonstrated that “even people who know the river well could be caught out”.