Teenagers rescued from River Forth at Stirling
Two men have been praised after pulling two boys to safety from the River Forth at Stirling.
The teenagers, believed to be aged about 13 years old, got into difficulties while playing on Sunday.
A passer-by jumped in to get a lifebelt to the pair, while another man helped the boys to the shore.
Stirling Council fisheries officer David Jones said there could have been a "terrible tragedy" without the actions of the men.
He warned that despite the warm weather at the weekend, the water was freezing cold with strong undercurrents.
"It is worrying that the minute we get some better weather people are thinking of jumping into our waterways," he added.
"These two men put their own lives a risk to help these youngsters.
"Had they not been there and managed to get these life buoys to them the consequences are unthinkable."
One of the rescuers, who asked not to be named, described how one of the teenagers had got into difficulties after jumping into the river.
His friend then tried to reach him, but also got into trouble in the water.
The man said: "I dived in and went out about a car length and managed to get the belt to them.
"If those life belts hadn't been there, they were gone. Thankfully the belts hadn't been taken or vandalised."
The boys had declined to get medical treatment and made their own way home after the incident, he said.
He added: "I came forward to alert the council that this has happened, and to warn other people of the dangers.
"I'm just happy that the boys are alright."