Proud daughter praises ‘hero’ ferry skipper dad for rescuing woman who drove car into River Clyde

A proud daughter has praised her "hero" father for diving into the River Clyde to rescue a woman who drove a car into the water.

The incident happened at the crossing for the Renfrew Ferry, which links the town with Yoker in Glasgow, just before 1pm on Wednesday afternoon.

A social media account for the Renfrew Ferry said earlier today that the vessel's skipper "dragged" the 52-year-old woman out of the river and that nobody was hurt. It said the ferry service was cancelled while the car was being removed from the water.

And in a tweet later this afternoon the skipper's daughter, Kirsty MacPhee, said: "My dad saved someone’s life today. Not even a second thought. Just human instinct to protect a stranger's life who couldn’t see a way through the darkness.

"His reflection: ‘After years of clamming and diving in the freezing cold, the Clyde was surprisingly warm.’

"Hero. Proud."

A Police Scotland spokeswoman confirmed earlier the woman was checked by paramedics at the scene.

The scene by the Renfrew Ferry crossing on Wednesday afternoon.

She said: “Shortly before 1pm, police received a report of a car in the River Clyde, close to the Renfrew ferry crossing.

“A 52-year-old woman was rescued from the vehicle by members of the public and is being checked over by paramedics at the scene.

“Inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

“Support units including the marine unit are in attendance whilst the car is recovered.

“The ferry terminal is likely to be closed as a result.”