Shocking moment yob pushes grandad into canal as…

Shocking moment yob pushes grandad into canal as terrified wife watches on

A grandfather-of-three says he is lucky to be alive after being pushed into a canal while out fishing.

Wayne Cairns, 64, was enjoying an evening's fishing with his wife Ann, 68, when the terrifying incident happened close to Telford's Warehouse at around 7pm on Wednesday, April 26. Wayne, who suffers from angina and lung problems, said he was pushed into the Shropshire Union Canal in Chester by a man who had previously been swimming there.

Wayne said he had asked the man to move before an altercation occurred involving the man and a woman and he was then pushed into the water by the man, who also went on to threaten to push Wayne's wife in. He fled the scene, leaving Wayne struggling in the water.

His terrified wife Ann tried to get him out but was unable to do so before some passersby came along and managed to get him out to safety. Cheshire Police were called out and Wayne sought medical treatment, being prescribed antibiotics as he had ingested some canal water.

Wayne, who has a son and a daughter as well as three grandsons, told CheshireLive: "We were fishing by Telford's Warehouse when this lad jumped in and starting swimming where we were fishing. I said 'why don't you go to that side of the canal as we are fishing'."

The moment a grandfather was pushed into the canal (CheshireLive)

He added: "After he got out of the water he came over to me, put his hands up and pushed me straight in. I could have lost my life. It was terrifying.

"I have trouble with my lungs and heart and for all he knew I might not have been able to swim. I wouldn't have been able to get out by myself if some blokes passing by hadn't been there.

"I was wearing a jumper which became really heavy in the water."

Speaking of the ongoing impact the incident has had on then, Wayne added: "We've been going fishing for around 30 years and this has put us off going out fishing now. We haven't been sleeping at night either. What if this happens again to someone else?"

The Shropshire Union Canal by Telford's Warehouse in Chester (Google)

A Cheshire Police spokesperson told CheshireLive: "At 7.40pm on Wednesday 26 April police were called to reports of an incident on banks of the Shropshire Union Canal near to Telford's Warehouse. The caller reported that a 64-year-old man had been involved in a verbal altercation with an unknown man and woman. During the incident the man pushed the victim into the canal.

"Officers attended the scene and spoke to the victim. They also conducted a search of the area and reviewed CCTV footage, but were unable to locate the offenders.

"Enquiries in relation to the incident are ongoing and as part of their investigation officer are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident, the same goes for anyone who recognises the man and woman in the video footage."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Cheshire police on 101, or at www.cheshire.police.uk/tell-us, quoting IML 1533530.

READ NEXT:

Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.

Already a member? Sign in here