RESCUE SERVICES RUSHED to the River Findhorn on Wednesday afternoon after a woman was reported to be in serious trouble.
Coastguard teams joined a search and rescue helicopter at Randolph’s Leap after a woman got into trouble during a wild water rafting expedition.
She had been taking part in a session run by Ace Adventure, an outdoor activities company based on the Logie Estate alongside the River Findhorn that offers river rafting and other adventure activities locally and throughout Scotland.
The drama unfolded at around 3.45pm when Fire Service and Coastguard crews were alerted to a problem encountered by the woman – believed to be in her early 20’s – on the River.
Burghead Coastguard station officer Graeme Gordon said: “We were made aware of a woman having encountered problems rafting on the River Findhorn at 3.45pm.
“Our helicopter winchman twice tried to throw a wire down the gully to haul the woman up – but due to the nature of the area that was a complicated process. It was also too high and it just would not have been suitable to use the helicopter.”
Mr Gordon added that it was decided a more suitable means to help the woman would be by rope rescue, which they managed to achieve with the help of Fire and Rescue Service officers.
A fire and rescue service spokesman confirmed that they were called to the scene at around 4pm. He said: “Engines from Buckie, Lossiemouth and Elgin attended as well as a water rescue unit from Elgin. The incident was over at around 6.30pm.”
Paramedics treated the woman at the scene before she was taken to Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin suffering from a leg injury.
Earlier this year a teenager lost his life when he attempted to swim the river at Randolph’s Leap.