DRAMATIC footage of a toddler being swept into the Firth of Forth has emerged online.

The video, which was posted on YouTube, shows a mother wheeling the infant in his buggy at Cramond, Edinburgh, when they are both pulled into the water. The pair fall into the sea, off the narrow causeway linking Cramond island to the mainland, and another woman manages to pull the youngster to safety.

The RNLI's lifeboat operations manager for South Queensferry, Tom Robertson, said the incident could have turned to tragedy if the woman had not rescued the child in time.

Mr Robertson said: "This incident certainly could have been tragic if someone hadn't managed to get to the child quickly.

"There have been many, many incidents in the past at Cramond. People get in to trouble on the island or on the causeway about 20 times a year.

"Thankfully, nobody has lost their life but there have been people who have had to be treated for hypothermia."

The 40-second clip, which focuses on the narrow path where people are walking close to the tide, has been viewed hundreds of times on YouTube. Mr Robertson urged people to ensure they check tide tables before attempting the crossing.