Four honoured for bid to save canoeist

FOUR Scots who risked their lives in an unsuccessful attempt to save a canoeist from drowning after he became trapped in the Grandtully rapids on the River Tay in Perthshire have been awarded bravery honours.

Stephen MacDonald, of Aberfeldy, a development coach with the Scottish Canoe Association, and Stephen Thomas, also of Aberfeldy and a senior instructor with the outdoor activity company Freespirits, are to receive Royal Humane Society testimonials signed by the society's president, Princess Alexandra.

Iain Murray of Nethy Bridge, a rescue instructor with Adventure Scotland, and Earle Wilson, an outdoor instructor, who also tried to rescue Simon Fletcher, 19, of Stockton on Tees on 7 April last year, are to get certificates of commendation.

Royal Human Society secretary Dick Wilkinson said yesterday: "Sadly their brave efforts failed. But they did all that was humanely possible to save Simon Fletcher though. They were true heroes."

Mr Fletcher was trying to negotiate the rapids at a point where the river is 40 metres wide, was in full spate and two metres higher than normal as a result of rainfall and melting snow.

Describing what happened Mr Wilkinson said: "The rapids are popular with canoeists, but on this occasion Simon, despite his skill as a canoeist, became pinned by a rock when the current caught the stern of his canoe.

"It flipped him round and as he attempted to negotiate his way out he was pulled under the water and jammed in position."

No date has yet been fixed for presentation of the awards, which have been made on the recommendation of Tayside police, but it is expected to take place in the near future.