Friday, March 29, 2024
1Teenage tourist falls off cliff 130

Teenage tourist falls off cliff 130

By Michael MacLeod

A TEENAGE American tourist is in hospital after falling off a cliff.

The 15-year-old was walking up Edinburgh’s Arthur’s Seat when he lost his footing on the waterlogged hill.

He plunged off the north face of the dormant volcano moments before he and a group of friends were due to reach the summit.

And eyewitnesses said the boy, from Denver, was “lucky” to land on a ledge just 20 feet below.

Rescuers from Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue had to abseil from the top to reach him before strapping him to a stretcher.

He was hoisted down the hill to awaiting medics, who treated him on site for around 45 minutes before taking him to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary by ambulance.

He fell at midday today and is currently in hospital.

Hillwalker Seth Clotter saw the rescue, and said the youngster “appeared to be moving.”

He said: “They scaled down the hill from the top to get him, it was a dramatic rescue.

“The fact the ambulance crew spent so long with him has to be a good sign.

“I saw him and he appeared to be moving.”

Another climber said: “He’s a tourist and he’s fallen quite a distance.

“Locals know not to take the route they were on, but the weather has definitely played its part.

“He must have just slipped on the grass. Parts of the hill are like a swap, it’s pretty dangerous.”

One of the lower roads around Arthur’s Seat has been closed since Thursday due to flooding.

A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: “This could have been a lot worse.

“Police, fire and ambulance were all in attendance, and last we heard he wasn’t reported to have any bad injuries.”

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