MSP rescues elderly cyclist who fell into canal

● Politician out for run goes to aid of man after hearing shouts for help

An elderly man was rescued from a canal by an MSP who raced to pull him out of the water as he cried for help.

Bill Watson, 81, was cycling home when he ended up in the Forth and Clyde canal after losing his balance on his bike.

The pensioner tried to grip on to the canal bank, but was unable to pull himself out of the water.

He was rescued by Ivan Mckee, Glasgow Provan SNP MSP, who was out running nearby and rushed to his aid when he heard his cries for help.

Mr Watson said: “I was approaching the bridge over the canal and I was looking out for any fast bikes coming in the opposite direction.

“I realised I was over too far to one side and I couldn’t get back over, and then I ended up in the water.

“Everything was really heavy and I was up to my neck in

0 Bill Watson, 81, cycles from North Kelvinside to Bowling, West Dunbartonshire at least once a month water. Then I could see a yellow figure approaching. The look on his face when he saw me in the water was something. He got me out the water.

“I don’t know how much longer I could have held on there for without being pulled under.”

Two girls passing by stopped and called for an ambulance while Mr Mckee stayed with Mr Watson.

He was taken to the Queen Elizabeth hospital and treated for hypothermia. It was discovered he also had a heart problem, so he was fitted with a pacemaker, and released after four days.

The retired paper mill and glass factory worker makes the trip on his bike from North Kelvinside to Bowling, West Dunbartonshire, at least once a month.

Mr Mckee was seven miles into a 16-mile run and was thinking it was nearly time to turn for home when he heard the shouts.

He said: “It was only when I was really close that I could see he was in the water. He was holding on to the side and still had a hold of the bike.

“I pulled the bike out first then two girls who were passing helped me get him out and called for an ambulance.

“He was freezing when we got him out.”

Once he was discharged from hospital, the MSP’S staff helped Mr Watson locate his bike.

Mr Mckee said he will be speaking to Scottish canals and transport minister Humza Yousaf to look at whether safety could be improved following the incident.

The Forth and Clyde Canal is owned by Scottish Canals which monitors and maintains the waterway and the towpaths.

A spokeswoman for Scottish Canals said the organisation “takes safety incredibly seriously”, adding: “We hope the individual concerned is now safe and well.”