Rescue heroes
fell into deeper water. As she frantically attempted to keep Ryan above the surface of the water, she struggled to stay afloat herself but luckily the pair were hauled to safety by a group of young men and a woman who were nearby and saw the drama unfold.
Charlene said: “We went into the water and Ryan asked me to put him on my back. After a minute I just stood in a deep bit and lost my balance.
“It was really deep. I’m 5ft 4ins and the water level was well above my head. I was trying to hold Ryan up because he’s not a strong swimmer and not good at holding his breath.
“I was really panicking but luckily there was a group of about four guys and one girl on the bank right above us and one of the guys jumped in to the water and helped us.
“We were really lucky. If they hadn’t seen us I really don’t know what would have happened.
“They helped pull us out. I was in shock and didn’t know what to say or do.
“I didn’t really have anything me so I just gave him my packet of cigarettes as a thank you.
“It all happened so quickly that I never even thought to ask their names.”
Now Charlene is looking to track down her rescuers to thank them.
The incident happened sometime between 2pm and 4pm on Sunday.
She describes the group as being in their early 20s and says she believes the man who jumped in to save them said that he was from the Raploch area of Stirling and was of thin built with red hair.
Support worker, Charlene added: “I just want to thank them for thinking and reacting so quickly and helping us.
“They potentially saved myself and my son from drowning. I can’t thank them enough.
“I then had to drive all the way home, wet and in shock at what happened.”
The scare occurred on the same day that a teenager drowned in Loch Lomond.
Seventeen–year old Owais Malik was with family near Luss on Sunday when he is understood to have stepped off a drop into deep water while paddling.
Emergency crews recovered the boy from the water and paramedics worked to revive him. But the teenager, from Glasgow, later died at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.
That came only four days after Rebin Rehan (25), also from Glasgow, died in Loch Lomond.
Mr Rehan was seen in difficulties in the water near Lomond Shores while swimming with friends.
Police and the Loch Lomond Rescue Boat crew worked through the night of Wednesday, July 4, in the search for the missing 25year old swimmer after he failed to resurface.
His body was found in the water near Drumkinnon Bay the following morning.
The Observer reported last month how around 300 school pupils were given advice and information on how to stay safe around water during an event at Callander Meadows.
Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) led two sessions promoting water safety.
A fresh warning was put out by the emergency services at the weekend.
SFRS Assistant Chief Officer, David McGown said, “We want people to have an enjoyable summer and have fun, but safety is our top priority.
“What might start as a harmless dip can have tragic consequences if the proper advice isn’t followed.
“Open water can also look very calm on the surface, but strong undercurrents or unseen objects which could trap or injure you can lie beneath.”
If you helped to rescue Charlene and Ryan, or you know who did, then contact us by emailing news@ stirlingobserver.co,uk.