Teenager staggered into canal

Published: Thursday, 25 February 2010

A TEENAGER was seen to stagger onto the ice of the Union Canal in Merchiston, and fall through it into the water at 7am on Tuesday morning.

He managed to clamber out, refused the use of a coat offered by a local man but took off along the towpath. The local having called the emergency services, directed the paramedics in the direction he went.

The local man told that he looked the 'worse for wear', and when the paramedics—following his wet footprints—eventually caught up with him, and took him to the Royal Infirmary, it was confirmed that he had been drinking, and was suffering from slight hypothermia.

Four fire appliances and a water rescue team attended the scene.