Girl airlifted to hospital after Ravenscraig castle cliff fall
A nine-year-old girl was airlifted to hospital after falling 50 feet down a cliff in Kirkcaldy.
- By Aileen Robertson
- Published in the Courier : 07.07.10
- Published online : 07.07.10 @ 01.31pm
The girl, who was with family at the time, suffered suspected spinal injuries and a broken leg after plummeting near Ravenscraig Castle and landing in bushes shortly before 2pm on Tuesday.
Ambulance staff who attended had difficulty reaching the girl and requested the help of Forth Coastguard, who sent for a rescue helicopter.
A Royal Navy helicopter from HMS Gannet, Prestwick, was on a training exercise in the Eyemouth area at the time and was diverted to the scene, arriving minutes later.
Crew from Fife Fire and Rescue Service helped stretcher the girl to the aircraft, which had landed on grass beside Pathhead Sands.
After taking off just before 3.30pm the helicopter took the girl, accompanied by her mother, to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
She was later transferred to the city's Royal Hospital for Sick Children.
Forth Coastguard watch manager Bob Abercrombie said, "This was an unfortunate accident at the start of a family holiday.
"We hope the girl's injuries are not too serious and that she makes a full recovery.
"The school holidays in Scotland have started and we would like to advise the public of making sure that you take care whilst at the coast, heed warning signs and ensure that you take adequate precautions for the activity that you are undertaking," Mr Abercrombie added.
"If you see anyone in trouble at sea or on the coast dial 999 and ask for the coastguard."
Police kept the area around the incident zoned off while the rescue took place.
Kirkcaldy Chief Inspector Gary Crawford said, "Inquiries have been concluded and we are satisfied that the fall was the result of an accident."
Add a comment