Coldingham gully fall pensioner saved by fence and dog

The 73-year-old had last been seen in Coldingham on Friday and his family reported him missing the following day.It sparked a search by the Borders Search and Rescue Unit and he was eventually found on Sunday. Rescuers said a fence which stopped him reaching a nearby burn and heat from his dog may have helped him survive.

The pensioner was "still alive but only just" with his terrier dog by his side.He was said to be "deeply hypothermic" and in need of urgent medical attention.He was tended to by members of BSARU until an ambulance arrived to take him to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

Rescue unit team leader Seymour Haugh said: "The fact that he had been missing, along with his dog, for 48 hours, during which the weather had been pretty unrelentingly foul made the family and everyone involved in the search fear the worst."

"That, the quick location of the casualty and the prompt first-aid we were able to administer almost certainly saved a man's life," said Mr Haugh.

"It's very gratifying - it's what we train for after all."

Mr Haugh said there were now "hopeful signs" the pensioner would make a full recovery.