Just a little snow today when we got up, and overnight the weather forecast from the BBC seems to indicate it will remain at freezing and there will be little flurries here but not enough for a snowman.

Unfortunately a teenager was injured in a fall on Blackford Hill today while sledging.

Firefighters in Edinburgh had to carry out a line-rescue of a 16-year-old boy after he slipped down an embankment whilst sledging, injuring his leg.

Crews were called to Blackford Hill at the top of Observatory Road just before 1.15pm this afternoon.

A spokeswoman for Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service said:

“A full line rescue team was mobilised to retrieve the youth who had come off his sledge and fallen 60 metres down a steep hill.

“Firefighters used lines to access him before securing him in a basket stretcher and hauling him up the embankment. He was rescued just before 2.20pm and passed to waiting ambulance crews who took him to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment to his injured leg.

“Around 20 firefighters were involved in the rescue operation using specialist line rescue skills to bring the teenager to safety and an area where he could be treated and stabilised by ambulance staff before going to hospital.

“Emergency services were clear from the scene just before 3pm. The hill was very busy with sledgers and dog walkers. We would like to remind people to take extra care whilst out and about in snowy conditions. Fortunately line rescue trained firefighters were able to rescue the teenager after his accident and we hope he will make a speedy recovery.”

We were a little disappointed at the lack of snow in the centre of town! So here is a selection of photos and video from around Edinburgh today to show you what it was like…

 

image_pdfimage_print
Website | + posts

Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.