A DRAMATIC rescue took place in Fife yesterday as Broughty Ferry lifeboat crew saved the life of a 54-year-old man who had been swept off a sandbank.

Both Broughty lifeboats were launched at 12.30pm after the sea angler was cut off by the incoming tide at the mouth of the River Eden in St Andrews Bay.

The man’s predicament was spotted by a sandsurfer who used his mobile phone to dial 999 and alert the Forth District Coastguard at the 24-hour maritime rescue sub-centre at Fife Ness, Crail. They co-ordinated the dramatic rescue.

The man tried to wade ashore but was swept into the water by the current.

By the time the man was pulled out of the freezing cold sea by the crew of the Broughty Ferry inshore lifeboat the Sheila Barrie, the rising water was up to his neck and he was being carried by the tide.

He was suffering from shock, hypothermia and the effects of inhaling water when he was taken aboard the lifeboat and landed on the West Sands where he received medical attention.

The inshore lifeboat crew consisted of volunteer lifeboatmen Scott Gourlay, Euan Mayes and Craig Johnston.

Andrew Jeffrey, second coxswain, described the man as “neck-deep in water” before being swept away by the tide.

“Thankfully the speed of the Sheila Barrie boat allowed the crew to haul the man out of the sea before he got too far away,” said Mr Jeffrey.

A helicopter from RAF Boulmer in Northumberland, which was on exercise between Eyemouth and Berwick, was diverted to the scene.

Fife Ness coast watch officer Simon Smart said, “I received an emergency call at 12.14 from a member of the public and alerted the coastguard teams.

“Thanks to the prompt action of everyone involved in the rescue bid, this man was saved from the water in time.

“When the lifeboat hauled the man ashore they were concerned for his body temperature and general wellbeing as he’d been submerged in the water.”

A spokesman for Forth Coastguard added, “The man was really lucky. He was not initially aware he was in trouble and it was thanks to the eagle-eyed sandsurfer that he was saved.

“I know the area very well and realised the seriousness of the situation. The tide comes in so quickly and the high groundswell at the moment made things worse.”

As a precaution, paramedics decided the man should receive immediate hospital treatment and he was airlifted by the helicopter to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.

It is understood he was discharged from hospital after being checked over by doctors.

After the rescue Mr Smart warned other anglers to be aware of the dangers of incoming tides.