Driver rescues woman after her car plunges off cliff into sea

A DRIVER had a lucky escape when her car careered over a cliff and plunged into the sea below.

The woman, who is in her 20s, was helped to safety after the vehicle plunged around 50ft after going over the cliff close to a small village near Montrose.

The accident took place close to the village of Ethie Haven, to the south of Lunan Bay near Montrose, at about 1.40pm yesterday.

The woman was helped by the driver of the car that had been travelling behind her, who pulled her to safety.

She is believed to have been travelling along the coastal road above when the accident happened.

Forth Coastguard said a helicopter from RAF Lossiemouth was already in the area with a doctor on board, whom the crew were able to lower to the ground on arrival.

The woman suffered head injuries which are not thought to be life-threatening.

Mike Scott-Hayward, watch officer at Forth Coastguard, said: "We received quite a few calls, including from members of the public and the couple who were driving behind her when the car went over the edge.

"The driver of the car behind went down to assist her and, it seems, pulled her from the vehicle onto nearby rocks.

"We launched two lifeboats but there was already a helicopter from RAF Lossiemouth, which was on the scene within 30 minutes."

He added: "She had a very lucky escape. The helicopter winched its doctor down to treat her, before refuelling and then returning to transport her to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee."