Man climbs tree to escape flood as storms battered Angus and the Mearns

A man had to be rescued by an RAF helicopter after becoming trapped by rising water in Angus.

Allan Hemmings, 73, had to climb a tree to escape the River North Esk after he became stranded on an island just before 1pm on Tuesday.

The major operation saw seven fire appliances, several police cars and three ambulances attend at the Gannochy Estate, north of Edzell.

He was winched to safety at around 3.15pm.

It was the third dramatic rescue from the river in two days after four people were saved from it in two separate operations on Monday.

Another day of torrential rain and high water levels also led to flooding in Stonehaven.

Water and pebbles came over the sea wall at the town’s beachfront and flooding reached as far as the High Street.

Police said about nine people had moved from ground floor flats at the Turners Court sheltered housing complex in the town.

Meanwhile, two lifeboats were launched at Arbroath Harbour aftertwo kayaks capsizedat around 4pm. There were no injuries to the occupants.

Flooding at Montrose caused delays to trains on the Aberdeen to Dundee line on Tuesday morning and led to the partial closure of the A937 Laurencekirk-Montrose road.