Seconds after this romantic picture was taken something terrifying happened

Wales Online

a day ago

Seconds after this romantic picture was taken something terrifying happened
Ben Walsh had been cuddling up to his girlfriend Laura Taylor for a photograph - neither of them had any clue what would happen next
Ben Walsh and girlfriend Laura Taylor moments before disaster
(Image: Ben Walsh / SWNS)
Ben Walsh and Laura Taylor paused for a romantic photograph whilst taking a summer walk in Scotland. It was a brief moment on a lovely day out, but it would prove disastrous.
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The barrier the pair were resting against gave way, leaving Ben suspended head-first above a 15-foot plunge. His terrifying tumble was recorded on Laura's mobile as it unfolded, and the 40-year-old man had to be rescued by his panicked relatives and two courageous passers-by.
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Ben reflected on how he couldn't sleep that night, with the memory of the event playing over in his mind. Read here about the Oasis fan who fell to their death during one of their Wembley Stadium gigs.
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Ben explained: "I can't thank the couple enough for running over and helping save my life. But I could easily have died. I couldn't sleep that night from going over it all in my head." For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here .
Ben, 40 and Laura, 38, had recently struck the picturesque pose whilst they and his relatives wandered along the seafront in Gourock, Inverclyde, during a motorcycle journey around Scotland.
The holidaymaker, from Retford, Nottinghamshire, had paused in Gourock to admire some scenery before boarding the ferry to Argyll during his family's excursion.
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Ben and Laura had gone on a trip with his parents, Ian and Rachel
(Image: Ben Walsh / SWNS)
Following his fall, the training manager with the National Grid, said he now harboured serious concerns about the security of all the barriers in the vicinity and has demanded an inquiry.
He said: "It was like a nightmare. We were all absolutely traumatised by it. Laura went forwards and I went backwards. I fell towards the edge but somehow managed to save myself by wrapping my leg round the pole.
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"My mum, dad and Laura were screaming for help and pulled me to safety with the help of two passers-by running to help. They all somehow managed to pull me by the ankle to safety. The lady ran down to the bottom to try to do something if I fell. The adrenaline just kicked in and I somehow survived."
Ben Walsh hanging from the cliff in Gourock, Inverclyde, Scotland
(Image: Ben Walsh / SWNS)
Following the incident, the pair photographed the damaged railing and after Ben's complaint to the council, restoration work on seafront railings in Gourock has commenced.
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Ben continued: "What concerns me the most is this railing appeared to have been welded recently. So a repair must have been carried out.
"It could have easily been an elderly person or a child. They might not have been so lucky. It is extremely lucky I managed to hold on and survived.
"We didn't know what to do after it happened. We brought the rail back up, and we managed to find a traffic cone before we reported it. I work with health and safety every single day. This needs to be investigated.
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He continued: "I applaud the councils quick reaction as they barriered the area off first thing the following morning. I saw similarly rotten, broken railings in Oban after I left Gourock. I have also read of similar things happening across the country, for example Devon.
"All I ask is that people are careful when they are posing for photographs this summer in similar locations. You wouldn't expect an item which is there for your safety to be unsafe, but this proves it can happen."
The collapsed railing in Gourock, Inverclyde, Scotland.
(Image: Ben Walsh / SWNS)
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A representative for Inverclyde Council, which has had no overall political control since the Lib Dems' loss in 2007, stated: "We are aware of the incident and understand the concerns that have been raised.
"A programme of inspections and repairs of seafront railings is currently being carried out in the surrounding area, and more widely across Gourock, as part of our ongoing asset management responsibilities and commitment to public safety.
"A review is currently underway to determine the cause of the issue at this location and to ensure that any necessary follow-up actions are taken."
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