A woman fell down a 5-metre borrow hole at a caravan park and a spokesman for the fire service said the incident highlighted the need for contractors to bear the public's safety in mind.

Firefighters and mountain rescue teams co-ordinated a rescue of the 28-year-old woman, who fell down the five-metre hole in the early hours of this morning.

The incident happened at Mains of Taymouth, where the woman works and was taking a shortcut in the dark across ground at the rear of the site.

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Firefighters had to use a ladder and rope to get down the steep embankment and bring her to the surface using two ladders.

The woman was taken to Ninewells Hospital but none of her neck and back injuries were serious.

Excavation work is being carried out at the caravan site.

Ewan Baird of Tayside Fire and Rescue said: "Anyone digging a hole of this magnitude must ensure the safety of members of the public especially when it is so close to a community, safety barriers and warning signs must be positioned to prevent incidents like this, where consequences could be far more serious.

"This was an extremely dangerous situation the female staff member found herself in which could have resulted in multiple injuries. Fortunately the swift action of her colleagues calling the emergency services assisted her."

(NE)