Boy dies in fall from cliffs

The boy had been walking with his mother

An 11-year-old boy has died after falling 60ft into a gorge at a popular Scottish beauty spot.

Jamie Gasking, from Inverness, had been out walking with his mother at the Falls of Bruar in Perthshire when he is thought to have lost his footing and slipped.

The youngster fell 60ft into the water below.

His mother ran for help and the Tayside Police Search and Rescue Team, a doctor and paramedics were called to the scene.

The boy's mother was comforted by police and staff at the nearby shop, the House of Bruar.

A Tayside Police spokeswoman said the death had been a tragic accident.

Uneven path

The wooded gorge is a well known beauty spot four miles west of Blair Atholl.

However, walking it can be hazardous due to an often steep and uneven path.

The Falls are close to the A9 and the last big landmark before the remoteness of the Grampians beyond.

Jamie fell down the side of a cliff at a point in the walk where the pass becomes narrower and where there is no fence.

Paramedics got quickly to the scene but unfortunately it was just too late Inspector Andy McCann

Inspector Andy McCann of Tayside Police, said the accident happened while the boy was walking his dog with his mother.

"She could not see where he landed, she just saw him go," he said.

"Paramedics got quickly to the scene but unfortunately it was just too late."

The three-hour operation to recover his body was described as "a difficult and harrowing job" by Mike Assenti, a sergeant in the Tayside Police Mountain Rescue Team.

Perth and Kinross Council said the Falls of Bruar would be closed at least until next Tuesday.

A spokeswoman said: "The council would like to extend its deepest sympathies to the family concerned in the light of this tragic accident.

"The council will participate fully in any investigation into the circumstances and the Falls of Bruar will remain closed until 15 July."