Inverness river rescue drama closes bridge as scores look on
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The Ness Bridge in the centre of Inverness was closed this evening (Tuesday) after a young man fell into the water from the crossing.
He appeared to be unconscious after hitting the shallow water, but revived as two other young lads, thought to be his pals, waded in to help him.
The drama began around 6.30pm and was watched by scores of visitors and locals as the emergency services arrived.
After the teenager's two friends failed to get him to come out of the water, three firefighters waded in and managed to bring him to the bank where the shivering trio were met by police and ambulance personnel.
Crowds lined the banks of the River Ness watching the incident and taking pictures and video.
Meanwhile the Ness Bridge, the city centre's main river crossing, was closed to vehicles and pedestrians for a while before reopening about 7pm.
The drama was witnessed by Councillor Duncan Macpherson who posted on Facebook: "The Ness Bridge was closed for a period tonight to traffic and pedestrians by police, as emergency services responded to a major incident in the water near the city centre.
"Rescue team members went to the assistance of three adult males who appeared to be chest deep in the fast flowing River Ness.
"All appeared to be safely recovered from the River Ness further downstream near the Greig Street Bridge.
"The major emergency response resulted in traffic diversions and lengthy tailbacks and pedestrians were forced to wait at either side of the bridge as police officers cordoned off the bridge.
"People I spoke with while waiting to cross over the Ness Bridge were frantically phoning their restaurant bookings to explain the reasons for their delay."
