A teenager is being treated in hospital after suffering a serious head injury while biking in a disused Angus quarry.
The 14-year-old is believed to have fallen off his bike while playing with friends on Balmashanner Hill in Forfar on Saturday afternoon.
Police and paramedics rushed to the area after the alarm was raised around 4pm.
The rough terrain leading to the old quarry meant access to the accident scene was limited and the emergency services were parked at the Dundee Road entrance to the beauty spot, known locally as Bummie.
The boy was treated at the scene before being rushed under police escort to Dundee’s Ninewells Hospital.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 4pm on Saturday July 11 officers were called to Forfar Quarry, to escort an ambulance to hospital.
“A teenager sustained a serious head injury and was conveyed to Ninewells Hospital for treatment.”
One passer-by said: “There were two ambulances at least three police vehicles parked around the top of Westfield Loan, so it was clear something serious had happened.”
Balmashanner, which overlooks Forfar from the south and is the site of the town’s distinctive war memorial tower, is one of the area’s most popular walking and biking spots.
The disused slate quarry and the wider hill area contains a number of biking trails created by local enthusiasts.
In recent years, Balmashanner has established itself as a favourite – and challenging – venue on the Scottish Cross Country mountain biking calendar, drawing enthusiasts from across the country for races held as part of the Angus Cycling Festival.
