Investigations are under way after a boy was found unconscious at an Aberdeenshire swimming pool.

Lifeguards and a member of the public dragged the 11-year-old boy out of the pool after he was spotted under the water on Thursday afternoon.

The youngster was part of a group of 24 pupils from Aberdeen school Ferryhill Primary who were on an end-of-term trip to Stonehaven Open Air Swimming Pool.

It is understood he has been transferred from Aberdeen Royal Infirmary to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary's high dependency unit.

David Wallis, acting head teacher of Ferryhill School, said: “Our thoughts are with our pupil and his family at this difficult time. He is a hardworking and popular boy and pupils and staff offered prayers for him and his family when we attended Ferryhill Church for our end of term service earlier today.

“We continue to work closely with the relevant authorities on investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.”

Aberdeenshire Council's education, learning and leisure head of service for policy and resources, Wilfred Weir, said: "Firstly, I’d like to emphasise our shock and concern at this incident - our priority is the recovery of the young boy affected.

"We are taking this investigation very seriously and the pool will remain shut until such time as we’re sure it’s appropriate to reopen it.

"We’re working with the Health and Safety Executive and Grampian Police to try to ascertain the circumstances of the incident and our thoughts are with the boy’s family."

The local authority provides the lifeguard staff at the pool but it is run in partnership with the Friends of Stonehaven Open Air Pool who maintain, upgrade, refurbish and decorate the facility voluntarily to ensure it can remain open.

Mike Robins, chairman of the Friends group, said he was “extremely sorry” to hear about the incident.

The facility had been visited by a number of primary schools this week in their final week of term. Mill O’Forest pupils were there on Tuesday and Wednesday and Arduthie pupils were scheduled to be there on Friday, although the pool is expected to remain closed as investigations continue.

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