Hero saved Oliver from drowning
Dad Sean: I dread to think what could’ve happened
A Paisley family has thanked a stranger who saved their five-yearold son from drowning.
The Donachie family were visiting the Kelpies in Falkirk when youngest son Oliver, five, fell into the freezing canal.
He had slipped through a gap in the bridge and plunged into the water.
A stranger walking nearby jumped in and rescued the youngster – who can’t swim – out to safety.
Dad Sean said: “I actually missed the whole thing and just ran over after Oliver had been rescued, but I dread to think what could have happened. Oliver can’t swim, so he would have drowned.”
He added: “It was only when I got home the enormity of what happened actually hit me and I realised my son could have died if that guy didn’t act so fast.
“We are just so grateful to him.”
A Paisley schoolboy was saved by a quick-thinking stranger after he fell into a canal on a family day out.
Oliver Donachie was visiting the Kelpies with his big brother Sean, who’s seven, and his parents Sean and Lisa.
Dad Sean said the family had enjoyed a picnic when Oliver – who can’t swim – fell into the freezing canal and was completely submerged.
Sean said: “We had been sitting on the grass having a picnic. The boys were playing and it’s a very child-friendly place, so we weren’t concerned.
“My wife was tidying up and I went to put stuff in the bin and that’s when Oliver fell in. He slipped through a gap in the bridge and went into the water.
“There was a man standing with his wife who seen it happened and instantly jumped in after him and pulled him out.
“I actually missed the whole thing and just ran over after Oliver had been rescued, but I dread to think what could have happened. Oliver can’t swim, so he would have drowned.
“He was drenched and scared and cold. Another man offered to give us his jacket to keep him warm.
“Everything happened so fast I didn’t get a chance to thank either of the men properly.
“It was only when I got home the enormity of what happened actually hit me and I realised my son could have died if that guy didn’t act so fast. We are just so grateful to him.”
Sean managed to track down the Kelpies hero, Barry Saigeon, through Facebook. Barry was visiting the landmark from Dundee with wife Jill and kids Liam, seven and Sarah, 10.
Reluctant hero Barry said: “I’m just glad the little boy is OK and I just reacted at the time like anyone would.
“We were just in the right place at the right time.”
Barry’s wife Jill said her humble husband has been playing his heroic actions down.
She added: “I don’t think Barry fully realises what the outcome could have been if he didn’t react when he did.
“He so is overwhelmed at being called a hero.”