A YOKER kitchen porter has been hailed a hero for diving into the canal in Clydebank to save a disabled man who fell into the water.

Quick-thinking Christopher McCluskey rushed into action when the man’s mobility scooter was forced into the water by strong winds on Friday.

The 32-year-old says he was in the right place at the right time to intervene and the man, who has not been identified, was later taken to hospital for checks.

Christopher was walking his border collie, Wee Jake, and heading to his bank when a downpour around noon on October 13 led him to take shelter under the bridge at Argyll Road.

As he looked down the path towards Whitecrook, he saw a man on a mobility scooter heading towards him.

But the vehicle was getting closer and closer to the edge. And Argyll Road and the ScrewFix building nearby acted as a wind tunnel and offered no shelter from gusts.

Christopher told the Post: “I did a quick 100-yard dash, took off my boots and jacket and went in – not head first. He was in the middle of the canal and by the time I got to him he was under the water.

“I got hold of him and pulled him back to the edge of the walkway. I swam out to him and did back stroke on the way back – I was wondering what if I couldn’t get him up.

“I turned my head slightly into the water – the canal was boggin’.

“He was still conscious, asking about his scooter. He was well shook up.”

Christopher, who works at the 1051 GWR restaurant near the Gartnavel Hospital, added the event was a “bit surreal”.

A spokesman for Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they were alerted at 11.58am to reports of two people entering the water.

He said: “Operations control immediately mobilised one appliance and firefighters assisted two male casualties from the water and handed them into the care of paramedics.

“One man was taken to hospital for further treatment. Crews left the scene after ensuring the area was made safe.”

Provost William Hendrie praised Christopher for taking the initiative, saying: “It’s fantastic we still have people who will risk their own lives to save the life of their fellow residents and it just shows there are heroes all over the country, including nearby.

“I’m sure people who have been saved must think about their rescue for the rest of their days. I would like to congratulate Christopher and I’m glad to hear the other man was okay.”

Martin Docherty-Hughes, MP for West Dunbartonshire, added: “Thanks to Christopher’s quick thinking and heroic actions a vulnerable man has been saved from a potentially life-threatening situation.

"Thankfully Christopher was in the right place at the right time and managed to get him to safety. I’m pleased to hear the individual involved is doing well following the incident and wish him well in his recovery.”