Couple taken to hospital after rescue operation at Perthshire beauty spot.

ACCIDENT: Rescue operation launched as woman hurt in 35ft fall and husband stuck trying to save her at beauty spot

A rescue operation was launched after an elderly woman fell about 35ft at a Perthshire beauty spot yesterday afternoon.

Firefighters, police and paramedics were called to the Birks of Aberfeldy at 3.20pm, following reports of people in the water just after 3pm.

An 81-year-old woman fell down an embankment at the popular walking spot.

The woman did not fall into the river itself, but fell about 35ft, a member of the rescue team said shortly after the incident.

Her husband, 82, is said to have attempted to rescue her before becoming stuck himself.

Two fire engines, several police vehicles and the Scottish Ambulance Service’s special operations response team all raced to the scene to help the couple.

The woman was taken from the Birks area on a stretcher and then airlifted to hospital.

The man was also taken to hospital following the rescue.

They are said to have suffered minor injuries and a police spokesman said they were taken to hospital only as a “precautionary measure”.

Both the man and wife were able to walk after the incident, but suffered some cuts as a result of their respective falls.

A police spokesman said: “A lady fell down an embankment and her husband tried to grab her and he fell in. They have gone to hospital.

“The call came to us at 3.10pm.”

A fire service spokeswoman said two crews – one from Pitlochry and another from Dunkeld – were called to the scene. A line rescue unit and aerial team were also requested.

She added: “There has been one casualty rescued from The Birks and handed over to the ambulance.

“We just helped the ambulance move (the casualty).”

POLICE SPOKESMAN

Pictures: Phil Hannah. Emergency services were scrambled to the Birks of Aberfeldy near the river.