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Mother and son die after Aberdeen beach rescue | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A mother and son have died after five people got into difficulty in the sea off Aberdeen beach. | |
The emergency services arrived at 16:45 on Saturday. The group were rescued and taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. | |
It is understood that two brothers, aged six and 13, were paddling in the water when they were swept away. Their mother and others tried to save them. | |
Five people were taken to hospital, where a 37-year-old woman and a six-year-old boy were pronounced dead. | |
The 13-year-old boy, a 25 year-old woman and a man, 28, remain in hospital receiving treatment. | |
Ch Insp Stewart Mackie described it as a "very tragic incident". | Ch Insp Stewart Mackie described it as a "very tragic incident". |
He added: "It will undoubtedly bring shock and sadness to the entire city of Aberdeen and further afield. | He added: "It will undoubtedly bring shock and sadness to the entire city of Aberdeen and further afield. |
"Given the recent weather conditions we'd urge members of the public to take care, especially when near coastal or beach areas." | "Given the recent weather conditions we'd urge members of the public to take care, especially when near coastal or beach areas." |
He also asked anyone who witnessed the incident to make contact with police by calling 101. | |
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the news was "heartbreaking". | |
She tweeted: "Tragic, heartbreaking news. My thoughts are with all those involved." | She tweeted: "Tragic, heartbreaking news. My thoughts are with all those involved." |
Police are currently making contact with the next of kin of the deceased. Fire crews, coastguards and the ambulance service were involved in the rescue effort. | |
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said some people had been pulled out of the water by police and others had been rescued by the inshore lifeboat. | |
Witness Emma Anderson was in the area at the time and told BBC News she heard sirens and police told everyone to evacuate the area. | |
"[We] took a walk to see what was going on. The whole boulevard was covered in ambulances and police. We overheard there was a body in the water," she said. | |
"This is something that will forever be in my mind... Not something I ever expected to see on a fun day out with my kids. Heartbreaking for all involved." |