Royal Navy helicopter rescues unconscious toddler cut off by snow

A Royal Navy helicopter was scrambled to rescue an unconscious toddler this morning, after two failed attempts by emergency services to reach him during the treacherous weather.

The one-year-old boy fell ill at a remote farmhouse in the Scottish Borders, which was surrounded by snow.

When an ambulance got stuck in a snow drift, the air ambulance based in Glasgow was alerted, but failed to make it through the driving snow showers sweeping west and central Scotland.

Finally, the Royal Navy search and rescue helicopter was scrambled to take the boy to a hospital in Carlisle - he was said to be 'alert' when he landed.

A Navy spokesperson praised the work of the Sea King helicopter team.