Shocking pictures have emerged showing anglers risking their lives at an Angus harbour.
The images captured by Arbroath business owner Bill Adam show three men diving for cover behind a car parked on the town’s breakwater, just seconds before one of them was swept into the icy water.
Further shots show a man standing seemingly nonchalantly on top of the harbour wall as massive waves crash all around him.
Mr Adam, who owns Harbour Nights guest house that looks on to the pier, said it was not unusual to see anglers foolishly braving the worst of conditions.
He added: ”When these were taken there were three guys there and one of the them ended up in the harbour when the wave came over. Luckily he was the one wearing the flotation suit and he drifted round to the inner harbour.
”They lifted him out and then the three of the jumped in the car and sped off.”
The pictures were uncovered after a group of men were branded ”idiots” when they were spotted dodging waves on the breakwater during one of the most severe storms the East coast has seen in years.
Local councillors Bob Spink and David Fairweather joined the RNLI in sending a stark warning to anglers and thrill seekers that they were putting their lives, and those of others, at risk.
On Friday, The Courier revealed that harbour staff employed by Angus Council had been unable to close the safety barrier preventing vehicular access to the pier, because anglers refused to leave despite the heavy weather coming in.
Mr Adam said: ”You only see anglers fishing there when the weather is bad because they know that’s when the fish are going to be feeding.
”Putting up the barrier doesn’t make any difference because you can still access the harbour, it just means you can’t get a car right along.”