Grandad pushed into canal while fishing as police appeal for witnesses

Police have made an appeal after a grandad was pushed into a canal while fishing.

A grandad from Chester has said he is lucky to be alive after being pushed into a canal while fishing with his wife.

Wayne Cairns, 64, from Blacon was out with his wife Ann, 68, when the incident happened at around 7pm on Wednesday April 26th, near to the Telford’s Warehouse restaurant.

Wayne, who suffers from angina and has lung problems, said he was pushed into the Shropshire Union Canal by a man who had been previously swimming there.

The grandfather-of-three said he had asked the man to move before an altercation occurred involving the man and a woman.

He was then pushed into the water by the man, who also went on to threaten to push Ann in before fleeing the scene, leaving Wayne struggling in the water.

Ann managed to get Wayne out of the water with the help of a passerby.

Cheshire Police were called and Wayne received medical attention where he was prescribed a course of antibiotics after swallowing some canal water.

Wayne, who has a son and a daughter as well as three grandsons, told Cheshire Live: “We were fishing by Telford’s Warehouse when this lad jumped in and started swimming where we were fishing. I said ‘why don’t you go to that side of the canal as we are fishing’.”

He continued: “After he got out of the water he came over to me, put his hands up and pushed me straight in. I could have lost my life. It was terrifying.

“I have trouble with my lungs and heart and for all he knew I might not have been able to swim.

“I wouldn’t have been able to get out by myself if some blokes passing by hadn’t been there. I was wearing a jumper which became really heavy in the water.”

Speaking of the ongoing impact the incident has had on the couple, Wayne added: “We’ve been going fishing for around 30 years and this has put us off going out fishing now. We haven’t been sleeping at night either. What if this happens again to someone else?”

A Cheshire Police spokesperson said: “At 7.40 pm on Wednesday April 26th, police were called to reports of an incident on banks of the Shropshire Union Canal near to Telford’s Warehouse.

“The caller reported that a 64-year-old man had been involved in a verbal altercation with an unknown man and woman. During the incident the man pushed the victim into the canal.

“Officers attended the scene and spoke to the victim. They also conducted a search of the area and reviewed CCTV footage, but were unable to locate the offenders.

“Enquiries in relation to the incident are ongoing and as part of their investigation officers are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident, the same goes for anyone who recognises the man and woman in the video footage.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Cheshire police on 101, or at www.cheshire.police.uk/tell-us, quoting IML 1533530.