The search for a 15-year-old boy swept away by the River North Esk at Edzell is continuing.
The teen got into difficulty near Gannochy Bridge, part of the popular Blue Door river walk on Saturday.
The alarm was raised at about 5.10pm by a group who were with the boy.
Coastguard teams from Aberdeen, Arbroath, Montrose and Stonehaven were scrambled to the scene, and a helicopter was drafted to the scene.
The fire service’s water rescue units were also involved in the initial search for the teen, but have since been stood down.
HM Coastguard is leading the search, supported by the police. A large rescue command centre is in place within the car park at Edzell.
A HM Coastguard spokeswoman confirmed “multiple teams” are searching from Gannochy Bridge onwards.
The boy’s family are being kept informed of the latest developments.
Search is continuing
Just before 5pm, 24 hours after the search began, a spokesman for HM Coastguard confirmed teams were still scouring the river which runs from Edzell down to North Water Bridge, to Montrose and on to the sea.
He said: “Teams are still searching the river heading eastwards.”
A police spokesman said: “Police were made aware of a 15-year-old boy in difficulty in the water in the River North Esk near Gannochy Bridge, Edzell, around 5.10pm on Saturday.
“Emergency services remain in attendance and searches are ongoing.
“The boy’s next of kin are aware.”
A large group of the boy’s family and friends gathered in the car park in Edzell as efforts continued.
Emergency operation
A fire spokeswoman said: “We were alerted at 5.03pm on Saturday to an incident at Blue Door River Walk, Edzell.
“Operations Control mobilised three fire appliances and specialist resources to the area.
“Crews remained at the scene until 10.50pm on Saturday.”
Rescuers at River North Esk near Gannochy Bridge, Edzell. Image: Newsline Media Limited
She added: “We were called to a rescue operation on the River North Esk near to the Gannochy Bridge.
“We sent two water rescue units, one from Kingsway, Dundee and one from Central area at the scene.
“There were also three fire appliances from Brechin, Laurencekirk and Forfar involved.”
Road closures in place
The road between Edzell and Fettercairn which was closed to allow the search to continue has re-opened.
One eyewitness said: “I was walking on the path at the side of the river when I heard a lot of screaming.
“I saw a group of boys who seemed really distressed. They had already called for help.
“It looks like they were jumping from the rocks into the water when there was some kind of incident.”
