Youngsters help save driver, 74

Published 18 Mar 2010 14:00

A STRANDED Port Glasgow driver was rescued by a group of hero children.

Pensioner Daniel McLean's car developed engine problems after he hit a pothole in Kilmacolm Road near Port Glasgow High School and he was struggling to get home.

But a group of 10 kids realised he was in trouble and helped push the 74-year-old's vehicle 300 feet along Barr's Brae.

Daniel said: "I was driving back to my house after visiting the hospital in Paisley when I saw an enormous pothole - it must have been about 10 feet wide.

"I tried to brake as hard as I could but I couldn't avoid it due to traffic on the other side of the road. As I went over it caused the engine mountings in the car to break and I started to shudder along the road.

"About 10 children, boys and girls, were in the street and saw me trying to drive the car. It was like I had kangaroo petrol.

"They all came over to the car and began to push it along the road. I hadn't even asked for their help.

"As we got about 200 yards or so along the street they were beginning to get tired, I was nearly at the lip of the hill and just needed to get that little bit further so I asked them if they could just get me there.

"They pushed the car until I got there and then I free-wheeled down to my house. It was a cold night and the kids really saved my bacon. When you're 74 you can't really push your own car along the road."

Luckily for Mr McLean, the damage to his car wasn't too bad.

He said: "I took it to the garage the next day and they only charged me £10 to fix the bolt where the problem was. I was fortunate."

Do you know who the hero youngsters are? Call the Tele newsroom on 558904 or email editorial@greenocktelegraph.co.uk

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 18 Mar 10

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