Police warning after car is driven onto Union Canal

Jan 14 2010 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

A police officer views the car in the canal

THE actions of two men were labelled “utter madness” after they crashed their car through a frozen canal.

A 22-year-old from Bridgend and a 24-year-old from South Queensferry, drove their Peugeot 406 onto the Union Canal near Winchburgh, on Monday afternoon.

But the weight of the car caused the ice to crack, and their car began to sink.

Amazingly the pair escaped uninjured, along with a small dog, out of the passenger window.

But the emergency services have condemned them for their irresponsibility.

Police, fire and ambulance crews were called to the scene after a member of the public spotted the submerged car.

Police, fire, ambulance, SEPA and British Waterways all attended the scene and thermal imaging equipment was used to ensure the car was empty.

Soon afterwards, the men were traced and told police that no one else had been in the vehicle.

Livingston-based, Inspector Kevin Kerr, said the main concern was for safety.

He said: “This incident was utter madness.

“Anyone could see on Monday that there was a thaw in progress and these men’s behaviour was simply reckless.

“There is no doubt that these two individuals had a lucky escape, and had the canal been deeper there could very well have been a different outcome.

“The ice is now starting to thin, and there is always going to be the danger that it will give way, with potentially fatal consequences.

“Most people would know simply not to drive on ice, but this shows the sheer stupidity of some people. They did not simply put their own lives at risk, but also the lives of any member of the public who may have tried to help, and those of the emergency services.”

Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service were also quick to condemn the men’s actions and called for the public to be very careful during freezing weather.

A spokeswoman said: “It was a very reckless act which used many public resources, which could have been better used elsewhere.

“We have been trying to reiterate to people the dangers of icy waterways – they are extremely hazardous and should be avoided.”

l Two men, named as Andrew Nisbet and James Naismith, have been arrested and charged with culpable and reckless conduct. They will appear at Livingston Sheriff Court at a later date.