Pensioner rescued from river after bridge 'jump'

The man was pulled from the water near Spylaw Bridge in Colinton

Emergency services launched a rescue operation after the man was seen in the water at around 11.45am. He was rushed to the Royal Infirmary with serious head and arm injuries.

Police sources said he was believed to have jumped from the Spylaw Bridge in Colinton, although there were no witnesses until he was spotted in the water below by passers-by.

They are understood to have rescued him from the water before paramedics arrived at the scene.

Around five vehicles from the Scottish Ambulance Service attended the incident, including one ambulance and a special incident response team. Police and fire services also attended.

Passer-by Gavin Glen, 62, from Longstone, said: "I was down in Spylaw Park and I saw all the people hanging about - at first I thought it was just council workers.

"I noticed a woman was there with a dog, I don't know if she knew him, and someone was in the river trying to pull something out. I didn't know what it was at first and I realised it was an old man. He appeared to be bleeding.

"Then the emergency services started to trickle in.

"Even if he had fallen from the old railway, which is a walkway now, it's 20-30 feet. Even from the footpath near where he was, it is very steep."

A police spokeswoman said: "Lothian and Borders Police responded to a call regarding a man who was found in the water near Spylaw Bridge, Edinburgh at 11.50am on January 24.

"The 81-year-old was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where he is being treated for his injuries."

Colinton councillor, Jason Rust, said: "My thoughts are obviously with the gentleman and his family and friends at this time, but I must also pay tribute to the bravery of those who helped out in these circumstances."