By Oliver Farrimond
A MIDNIGHT rave on Cramond Island almost ended in tragedy on Saturday night as revellers became stranded overnight.
Worsening weather meant that more than 130 people had to be evacuated by emergency services in the early hours of Sunday morning, with six being treated for hypothermia during the night by ambulance services.
Police also said that they are also investigating reports of a number of “minor crimes” being committed during the party.
A spokesperson for Lothian and Borders Police said: “During the evening of 5th June 2010 a number of people made their way to Cramond Island – it is believed that they were attending a party.
“As the evening progressed it became impossible to get on or off the island as the weather worsened during the evening.
“HM Coastguard received a number of emergency calls from people on the island who were becoming concerned for their safety, and Lothian and Borders Police received a call in relation to a number of minor crimes having been committed.
“In response to all these calls the ambulance, police and coastguard came together and put into place contingency plans.
“Several persons were evacuated from the island by RNLI lifeboats, treated by the ambulance service and discharged.
“A number of minor crimes were reported and they are being investigated by Lothian and Borders Police.
“During the early hours of Sunday 6 June, once the tides had receded, HM Coastguard and the Police assisted more than 130 people to leave the island safely.”
‘Alcohol Consumption’
A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service confirmed that six people were treated for hypothermia following the rescue.
None of the six were taken to hospital, but were returned home following treatment.
The spokesman added: “It’s likely that there was alcohol consumption, and that the event was arranged through Facebook.
Social networking site Facebook was abuzz following the rescue, with one reveller claiming to be “quite minted” despite the drama.
Forth Coastguard confirmed that two lifeboats – the Kinghorn and the Queensferry – were used to ferry freezing party-goers across the Firth.”
Angus MacIver, watch manager at the Forth Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, said: “The difficulties arose when the weather conditions deteriorated from a hot sunny day to a cold night with northerly winds and rain.
“We were then concerned for the well-being of the young people and the risk of exposure to the weather.
“Working with Lothian and Borders Police to ensure public safety we assisted many of the young people to safety by escorting them across the causeway in the night which had to be illuminated.
“In addition a further 50 were taken by Kinghorn and Queesnferry RNLI lifeboats to safety.”
