A MAN was taken to hospital after being rescued from the water near Girvan last night.

Brave Lifeboat crew members raced out to trace the man after the alarm was raised around 9.15pm on Sunday, November 22.

Emergency services attended in the South end of the Girvan, south of Ainslie Park between the Snack shack and Ainslie Manor, with police, fire crews and paramedics all at the scene to assist the Lifeboat.

Lifeboat crew members had prepared to jump into the water in dry suits amidst difficult conditions.

Flares were used to light up the area to allow services gathered on the shore to see better in the dark. The Girvan Lifeboat also utilised searchlights.

The man was quickly retrieved from the water by police officers and taken into the care of paramedics.

He was taken to hospital for treatment.

A spokesperson for Girvan Lifeboats said: “At approx 9.15pm on Sunday November 22, Girvan's Shannon Class all-weather Lifeboat was paged by CGOC Belfast for immediate launch to a person reported in the water.

“Our volunteer crew quickly arrived on the scene, which was also attended by Coastguard Rescue Teams from Girvan and Ballantrae, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Scottish Ambulance Service shoreside.

“Once on scene, with crewmembers in dry suits ready to enter the water, Girvan Lifeboat utilised the searchlights and White illuminating Parachute flares to light up the area to allow services on the shore to see better in the pitch dark, the casualty was quickly retrieved shoreside by officers from Police Scotland and thereafter into the care of themselves and Paramedics.

“With the casualty in safe hands and no longer in danger, Girvan lifeboat returned to station and was made ready for the next service call.”

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “We were called to the Ainslie Park area of Girvan at around 9.05pm following report of concern for a person.

“A man was taken to hospital for treatment.”