A TEENAGE girl who was swept out to sea as she tried to rescue her friend remains critically ill in hospital.

Katie MacLean, 14, was "wave-dodging" on the harbour in Eyemouth, in the Scottish Borders, on Monday when her friend, 13-year-old Tempany Sylvester, was struck by a 20ft-high wave.

Katie was dragged under-water and knocked unconscious as she tried to help Tempany who was subsequently pulled to safety by members of the public.

However, Katie was in the water for about 20 minutes – possibly face down – before she was rescued and resuscitated by coastguard officer Norman Richardson.

Katie was subsequently airlifted to Edinburgh for treatment.

A spokeswoman for NHS Lothian said Katie remains in a critical but stable condition in Edinburgh Royal Hospital for Sick Children.

Both teenagers are pupils at Eyemouth High School, and it is understood Katie moved to the town with her family from Plymouth earlier this year.