Teenager airlifted to hospital with “serious” injuries after falling at Elie

A teenager has been airlifted to hospital after falling near the Elie Chain Walk in Fife.

The boy, said to be aged 14 or 15, is understood to have sustained serious injuries after falling 40ft at Kincraig Point at around 12.15pm on Wednesday.

He was winched to safety and taken by a coastguard helicopter to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, where he is being treated.

It is the fourth time this year that a rescue has been carried out along this stretch of coast in Fife’s East Neuk.

However, a spokesperson for RNLI Anstruther confirmed the incident happened at the headland and not along the Elie Chain Walk, which has become a notorious spot for accidents.

The effort on Wednesday involved HM Coastguard crews from Leven, Kinghorn, St Andrews, South Queensferry and both lifeboats from RNLI Anstruther.

Launched from Anstruther, Fife about half an hour ago – https://t.co/AHOB6Twdrq

— RNLI: Out On A Shout (@outonashout) August 8, 2018

Coastguard personnel used rope rescue equipment as they worked to get the boy to safety.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was also in attendance with rope rescue equipment as a back-up.

A spokesperson for RNLI Anstruther said: “We launched this afternoon after reports of a male who had fallen a considerable distance at Kincraig Point.

“We arrived simultaneously with the coastguard ground teams and the rescue helicopter from Prestwick was requested.”

Fears have previously been raised about Elie Chain Walk with those tackling the route urged to dress appropriately when following the 0.5km course.

The route, which is often described as a scramble rather than a walk, requires a head for heights and visitors are also urged to check tide times in the area.

Last month, a man was rescued from the notorious spot after being cut off by the tide.

It happened just a week after emergency services raced to the scene after a woman fell and broke her ankle.

And in April concerns about the chain walk were again raised after two people were stranded on the cliff after being caught out by the tides.