Heroes save fisherman who plunged into canal after seizure

A fisherman has thanked two heroes who saved his life after he plunged unconscious into a canal following a seizure.

Charlie Milne, 40, was fishing on the Forth and Clyde Canal, Falkirk, on August 10 when he suffered a seizure and fell headfirst into the water.

But he was rescued by two bystanders – an elderly tourist and a younger local man – who Chris said saved his life and allowed him to see his four-year-old son again.

A man and his wife, thought to have been visiting the area from England, heard the splash – and the man rushed into the canal to drag Charlie’s unconscious body out.

But he could only keep Charlie’s head above water and shout for help, which was answered by a younger man from the area who was walking along the canal path.

The man, who does not want to be named, was able to haul Chris out, and put him in the recovery position while they waited for the ambulance to arrive.

Fork lift driver Charlie was checked over and released from Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Falkirk the next day.

Charlie said he’s scared to go fishing on his own again until he gets to the bottom of what caused his seizure.

The father-of-three from Falkirk said: “I just fancied getting out of the house and getting some fresh air.

“The thing is I had just caught only my second fish in five years.

“I can remember getting the fish – a pike – out of the canal and then setting up another lure on my rod.

“That’s the last thing I remember.

“The next thing I know I was soaking wet and looking up at the paramedics.

“I just want to thank them.

“You know I can remember the paramedics, but I can’t remember the two guys who actually saved me from the canal.”

“I’m just a very lucky guy.

“If those guys hadn’t been there I wouldn’t be here, my son wouldn’t have a dad if it hadn’t been for those men.

“It’s opened my eyes a lot to second chances.

“I’m getting a CT scan at the hospital to see if they can find out what caused it.

“I had one in my house in Glasgow ten years ago, but my sister was there to help.

“It’s really scary to know you lost consciousness like that and it’s only thanks to the bravery of those two guys that you are still around to tell the tale.”