AN ENGLISH tourist was swept to her death while taking photos from rocks on a Scottish beach as her horrified friends watched on.

The party – believed to be a photography group visiting from England – witnessed the tragedy on Harris, in the Outer Hebrides, yesterday.

A lifeboat and a rescue helicopter were scrambled to Nisabost beach in a bid to save the 50-year-old woman at around 8am.

She was recovered from the water by the chopper and taken to the Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway, but was sadly pronounced dead.

Local politicians last night described their “shock” at the tragedy – the second death in waters off Harris in recent years, after a 45-year-old woman drowned off Scarista beach in 2013.

KNOCKED INTO THE WATER

Councillor Paul Finnegan, a member of the local coastguard team, said: “The lady was a tourist who had been taking photographs from rocks and she was hit by waves and knocked into the water.

“She was with a small group of people who were with her at the time, but couldn’t do anything to help her.

“It was quite breezy at the time and there was a natural swell in the sea. It is just terrible, absolutely awful and the second tragedy in recent years.

“This shows the dangers of the sea and how it can catch you out.”

It is just terrible, absolutely awful

Winds at the time were reported to be gusting at 50mph.

Councillor John Mitchel said it was believed the woman was a member of a photography group from England staying on the island.

He said: “It is a tragedy. It appears she was part of a photography group who went to capture one of our many beautiful beaches early in the morning.

TRAGIC BID TO PICTURE STANDING STONE

“The rocks are very slippery and where she fell is near a standing stone called Clach Mhic Leòid [MacLeod’s Stone] – maybe she was trying to get this in the shot.

“This tragedy has really shocked the community.”

Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan said: “I am very saddened to learn of this death, as I know will be everyone in the Isle of Harris.”

Inspector Jane Nicolson said: “Our thoughts first and foremost are with the woman’s family and friends.

“We are carrying out inquiries to establish the full circumstances which have led to her death and this work is at an early stage.

“The death is currently unexplained, though initial inquiries suggest there are no suspicious circumstances.

“We are grateful for the assistance of our partners in the emergency services and members of the public in relation to this incident.”

In 2013, Rosemary Wickstead, 45, from London is thought to have jumped in to the water when her son began to struggle off Scarista beach, but then drowned.

Nisabost is a popular tourist attraction, described as being a “wild and beautiful beach backed by great dunes”.

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