Mum’s plea after canal accident

The mum-of-three who is in her 40s, was walking along the canal path with her twin toddler sons in their buggy when the accident happened a couple of weeks ago.

She told the Herald she suffered an injury to her shoulder when the bicycle collided with her pram before its 40-year-old rider plunged into the canal near Townhead Bridge, in Kirkintilloch.

Her two children were unhurt but she said they were traumatised after the incident which happened just after 9am on Friday, September 18.

The Herald reported how the cyclist had to be rescued from the canal by council worker Bill Reside, who risked his life to pull her to safety.

The Kirkintilloch mum said: “I am glad the woman is recovering but things could have been much worse. The bicycle missed my sons by inches. They could have ended up in the water too.

“As it was, it struck my buggy and my shoulder took the brunt of it.

“I would just like to appeal to people using the canal to be aware of the dangers, especially if you are on a bike. Cyclists really need to ride slowly on the canal path.

“I regularly drop my daughter off to school at Lairdsland and the speed of some cyclists on the canal path is terrifying.”

East Dunbartonshire Council worker Bill, who has worked in and around water for much of his career in outdoor education, is also keen to stress the dangers posed around canals.

He said: “I am so keen about raising awareness of being around water. At the moment, I am trying to introduce a rookie lifeguard course at Kirkintilloch Leisure Centre. This happening makes it all the more important.”

This was backed up by police who want to warn people, particularly walkers, runners and cyclists to be aware of their surroundings when in canal areas. School pupils also use the canal path daily.