TWO teenage girls had a lucky escape after cooling off in the River Tweed in Galashiels on Friday evening. Police were alerted after the two 14-year-olds got into difficulties at about 6.15pm.

The youngsters, who entered the water near Winston Road in Langlee, made it to the opposite bank but were trapped and unable to get back across the fast flowing river.

Firemen wearing special drysuits entered the river and used a “water rescue sledge” to bring the girls to safety. A fire spokesman said: “The two girls were suffering from mild hypothermia and were taken by ambulance to Borders General Hopsital, at about 6.50pm.” Two pumping fire engines attended the scene together with a heavy rescue vehicle.

Scottish Fire & Rescue media spokesman, David Girrity, told the Border Telegraph: “We would like to remind people that cooling off in moving water is potentially dangerous, as you might be unsure of the depth of the water, there might be underwater hazards such as rocks which are not visible from the surface.

“People should beware in any open water.”