Three people have been airlifted to hospital after a young child and adult drifted out to sea on a surfboard.
People on the beach at Balmedie in Aberdeenshire raised the alarm at around 15.20 on Monday.
Emergency services including the Coastguard , RNLI Lifeboats and police were sent to the scene.
All three people in the water were taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary by the Bond helicopter after making it back to the shore.
It is unclear what their condition is at this stage.
A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesperson said: "At 3.20pm today multiple 999 calls were received from concerned members of the public reporting an adult and a child drifting out to sea on a board.
“Aberdeen Coastguard Rescue Team was sent, along with RNLI Lifeboats from Aberdeen as well as police. A Bond offshore helicopter was also sent.
“The two people in the water attempted to swim for the shore and a third person is thought to have entered the water from the shore to try and assist. The three people self-recovered to the shore.
“They have been taken by the Bond helicopter to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and are currently in the care of the paramedics.”
