Horror at the seaside as man, 42, is killed in crash between 2 jet skis
SCOTLAND’S scorching weekend ended in tragedy yesterday after a jet skier died following a horror crash at sea.
As the country enjoyed two of the hottest days of the year so far – after one of the wettest Aprils on record – Scots flocked to beaches and parks to soak up the sun.
But the glorious weather was marred by a tragic incident when a jet skier was pronounced dead after two of the craft collided off the Kirkcudbrightshire coast.
The 42-year-old was airlifted to hospital at around 5.35pm on Saturday after the smash near Auchenlarie Holiday Park, near Gatehouse of Fleet.
The man, whose identity has not been released, suffered serious head injuries and was flown to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
Jet skis can weigh up to half a ton and hit speeds of 70mph.
Police Scotland last night confirmed he died as a result of his injuries. no one else was injured in the crash.
Detective Inspector Graeme robertson said his thoughts were ‘with the man’s family and everyone affected by this tragic incident’.
Mr robertson said: ‘Our inquiries to establish what led to this collision are ongoing and at an early stage.’ He encouraged anyone with information to come forward.
Just hours after the jet ski crash, a 74-year-old hillwalker fell to his death in the Highlands as he climbed the 2,811ft Beinn a’ Chrulaiste in Glen Coe. The alarm was raised at around 7.30pm after he had failed to return from the walk. Fourteen members of Glencoe Mountain rescue were dispatched and found his body halfway up the peak about an hour later.
news of the double tragedy came as Scots enjoyed the last of this weekend’s mini-heatwave. Temperatures reached 74F (23.6C) in Kinlochewe, ross-shire, yesterday while Saturday saw Scotland record its hottest day of the year so far when thermometers hit 78F (25.7C) in Cassley in Sutherland.
The sunny spell came to a dramatic end yesterday as thunderstorms rolled in. Much of the country was set to see torrential rain as the storm moved east, with more than an inch expected to fall in just an hour in some areas.
The Met Office yesterday issued a 13-hour weather warning for thunderstorms over large parts of West and Central Scotland amid flooding fears.
The yellow alert was due to end at 3am today, having been put in place
‘More warnings for heavy showers’
from 2pm yesterday. Firefighters will welcome the downpours, which came after the country was placed on high alert for wildfires.
Three fire engines had to be sent to Brimmond Hill on the outskirts of Aberdeen late on Saturday after a large gorse fire broke out.
While temperatures are expected to remain higher than normal for May for the next several days, the Met Office’s Marco Petagna said: ‘later in the week we might need more warnings for heavy showers, which could be thundery on Wednesday and Thursday.’