A veteran rescued in a mayday call while attempting a world record on a remote islet has broken his silence for the first time after a close escape.
Christopher "Cam" Cameron, who grew up in Buckie, was almost swept away in dangerous weather conditions after spending 32 days on the islet of Rockall, over 200 miles off the west coast of Scotland.
In a Twitter statement, the Gordon Highlanders veteran, said he owed his life to the Coastguard and those who has rescued him on Wednesday after his emergency call.
It read: "Dear Troops, many thanks for your kind sentiments and best wishes. While I think of it. I would not be here were it not for the courageous efforts of HM Coastguard in particular, Stornoway Coastguard and The pilots and crew of Rescue 22, &SAR Stornoway.
"A big thank you also, to the Captain and crew of MV Nassauborg, who maintained a sector screen around Rockall whilst I waited for the helo. I owe them all my life. Thanks Team. Cam Cameron VR FRGS."
Cam's aim was to stay on Rockall for 60 days to raise £50,000 for ABF, The Soldiers’ Charity and the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity. The veteran hoped to beat the world record of 45 days, set by Nick Hancock in 2014.
The uninhabited rock is 230 miles west of North Uist and is a mere 30m wide and 21m long. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency confirmed a search-and-rescue team was dispatched after receiving Mr Cameron's distress call.
Cam’s equipment was destroyed by the wind and waves, and on several occasions overnight, he was almost swept away, the Rockhall expedition team said in a statement yesterday.
An operation to rescue him by the Coastguard at Stornoway was launched when he declared a Mayday. He was safely reached around 6pm.
A statement from Cameron's family said: "We are hugely proud of all his achievements, but also that he had the courage to make what must have been a very difficult decision in the face of such dreadful weather.
"We are looking forward to welcoming him home and hope that any future adventures will be a little less risky."
His family joked: "Why couldn't he just have bought a sports car in the first place?"
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