The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)

Footballer thanks emergency services after river rescue

Dons star Gary MackayStev­en was pulled from River Kelvin suffering from hypothermi­a

- Lucinda cameron

A Scottish Premiershi­p footballer has thanked emergency services after he was rescued from a river.

Aberdeen FC player Gary MackayStev­en was pulled from the River Kelvin in Glasgow by firefighte­rs in the early hours of Sunday.

The 26-year-old was on the bench for Aberdeen’s 4-3 victory over Glasgow side Partick Thistle on Saturday and is believed to have been at a nearby nightclub with a fellow player on Saturday before the river rescue.

He was treated for hypothermi­a but is recovering well at home.

An Aberdeen FC spokesman said: “The club can confirm Gary MackayStev­en was involved in an incident in the River Kelvin on Sunday morning.

“He was treated for hypothermi­a but is now at home and recovering well.

“On behalf of Gary, the club extends its thanks to the emergency services involved.

“The club will not be commenting further on the matter.”

Firefighte­rs were called to reports of a man in the water at the River Kelvin near Benalder Bridge in Glasgow at 2.46am on Sunday.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “Four appliances attended and specialist water rescue crews safely assisted the individual out of the water.

“He was then transferre­d into the care of paramedics after suffering the effects of hypothermi­a.

“Firefighte­rs ensured the area was safe before leaving the scene.”

Police Scotland said the casualty was taken to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for treatment.

A force spokeswoma­n said: “Around 2.40am on Sunday August 27, police received a report of a 26-year-old male in the River Kelvin, Partick.

“Emergency services attended and a full search of the area was carried out with the male being located.”

Mackay-Steven joined Aberdeen from Celtic in July.

He was then transferre­d into the care of paramedics after suffering the effects of hypothermi­a. SCOTTISH FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE SPOKESMAN

 ?? Picture: Heather Fowlie. ?? Gary Mackay-Steven is recovering at home after being rescued from the River Kelvin.
Picture: Heather Fowlie. Gary Mackay-Steven is recovering at home after being rescued from the River Kelvin.

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