Published: Tuesday, 7th October, 2008 12:40
Man rescued 7 in boat drama
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A GOUROCK boatman was involved in the dramatic rescue of TV star Muriel Gray after her cruiser sunk on Sunday with seven on board.
Cameron Radford, right, who was out on the river in his launch, Diligence, with his son David, rushed to the family’s aid
Broadcaster and writer Muriel, 50, her husband Hamish Balfour, son Angus, nine, and her eight-year-old nephew Ryan were on board with another man and two women when the cabin cruiser started taking in water.
Mr Radford, 50, of Barrhill Road in Gourock, said: “We were just passing and we saw all the adults baling out water and noticed they were in a lot of trouble.
“It became clear very quickly that the boat was going to sink.”
Cameron, who also took photographs of the drama, added: “Muriel was quite brave.
“She put the kids into the water — it was important they got off the boat, then she jumped in after them.”
Mr Radford, an electronics manager, added: “We pulled them on to the boat, taking the two children in first and the three women.
“Then another boat picked up the others and transferred them to our boat. The children were very cold and frightened.
“They were all very grateful.
“It was fortunate they were all wearing lifejackets or they would have been in a lot of trouble.
“The stricken boat was just at the rear of one of the MoD boats. I think they hit something because they said they heard a bang. They started taking water into the stern and it sunk within 30 seconds.
“They were very lucky there were lots of boats there within five minutes.”
The group was taken to Princes Pier in Greenock where they were checked over by paramedics but didn’t need to go to hospital.
A police boat then took them back to Rosneath, where they had sailed from.
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