In a heroic rescue, a student from Colby saved a disabled man who had fallen in the River Clyde in Glasgow.

Daniel Gardner, aged 22, had been walking back from the station with friends when they saw the accident.

’I saw a flash and a man who had fallen from his wheelchair was struggling in the water,’ said Daniel.

’He was not doing well,’ he said of the man who has one leg.

’I ran to the river bank, he was not getting any closer.

’People had thrown him life rings, but he could not get himself out.’

Daniel is studying nautical science at City of Glasgow University intent on joining the Merchant Navy. He was in the Royal Navy and was also a crew member at Port Erin lifeboat for four years so knows all about the dangers of cold water and hypothermia.

’Because of being in the lifeboat I know you don’t want to stay long in cold water.

’I did not really think about it (getting in the river).

’The water was filthy and the current was strong.

’I was more worried about keeping my mouth shut and not swallowing any of the dirty water.

’Friends were on the side of the river. I was in the water for 10 minutes.

’I propped him on the rocks. I could not get him on the rocks.

’He was quite quiet. People kept shouting help was on the way.

’A rescue boat came and took us to an ambulance.’

They were both taken to the Royal Infirmary and after a check up Daniel was free to go.

Daniel didn’t know how the man he rescued was doing.

The whole thing was ’a bit of a surprise,’ he said.

’It was surreal. One minute I was walking back from the station then I was in the Clyde.’