
Hero schoolboy rushed to save life of gran after she plunged into Scots harbour
A HERO schoolboy helped to save his gran after she fell from a harbour bridge and became trapped in a narrow gap against a wall.
Jayden Swift, nine, who is autistic, overcame his fear of talking to strangers to alert a dog walker as Grace, 64, floundered in the cold water.
4
4
4
The pair were visiting friend Helen Waldie in Eyemouth, Berwickshire, when Grace stumbled off the walkway.
With no swimming experience and suffering from COPD, Grace struggled to stay afloat for several minutes as Jayden ran for help.
The gran, from Whitburn, West Lothian, said: 'I thought I was going to die.
'I've never been so scared. I couldn't get a grip on the bridge and just kept sinking.
'I saw death in front of me.'
Helen, who rang 999, said: 'Jayden ran to get help while I tried to hold onto Grace's hand.
'We were panicking. It was terrifying.'
The dog walker managed to pull Grace out of the water as emergency services arrived.
Paramedics treated her for cold water shock and hypothermia.
Grace said: 'Jayden saved my life. If he hadn't run for help, I would have drowned.'
Watch incredible moment MAFS legend chases down machete-wielding carjacker teen before making heroic citizen's arrest
Helen added: 'We've been telling Jayden he's a superhero. We're so proud.'
Eyemouth Coastguard agreed Jayden's quick thinking and calling 999 'undoubtedly saved a life'.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Guardian
5 hours ago
- The Guardian
Posters, scented items and drones: Highland hunt for teenager's missing therapy dog
Walking along Nevis Gorge, the rumble of Steall Falls can be heard long before you see it. Rocky terrain clears to expansive grassland, forest and shrubbery. Among Glen Nevis's lush greenery, flashes of bright red paper can be seen. It is not litter left by tourists who have trekked to this beauty spot, but missing posters handed out by the family of Louie, a two-year-old golden retriever who has been missing for a fortnight. The breathtaking scenery is no longer noticed by Louie's owner, Louise Manson, and her two daughters Ellie and Lara. They have have been coming daily, sometimes several times a day, to search for their beloved dog. Louie has been on walks here regularly but on the day of his disappearance, Louise says he got spooked. 'We got to the top of the gorge and a family were there and the rain was pounding. You couldn't hear very much between the rain and the waterfall. 'The family was coming towards the car park and they had a toddler there screaming. I don't know if he got a scent of a deer but we looked down [at the lead and collar] and he was gone. 'My senses were in overdrive, for a dog it might have been a bit too much.' Louie's disappearance has been particularly difficult for 17-year-old Ellie as he provides support as a therapy dog for the teenager. Ellie has epilepsy and while Louie was originally brought into the family as a companion for her, he started to alert family members when Ellie was about to have a seizure. 'If I have a seizure he will lie in my bed across my chest or on my stomach to let me know that he's there. He'll alert someone if anything's going to happen, he can sense it. He will bang around to get anyone's attention,' she says. 'It's hard. It's odd walking into the house and he's not there.' Ellie hasn't been able to face coming to many of the searches for Louie, 'I can't really deal with the disappointment of not finding him,' she said. Louise, and Ellie's 12-year-old sister, Lara, have been doing most of the searching with help from the local community. 'If I'm not out searching I'm at home researching what I need and what to do and talking to people. People have been so generous lending us equipment. Honestly, I don't think I would have gotten through it without anybody's help.' Word has travelled around Steall Falls as while they are out searching, a walker approaches Louise to ask if she is 'Louie's mum'; she has heard the story and wants to extend her sympathy. The support has been overwhelming, she says. 'I put one post on Facebook the night he went missing and by the time I came back up here there were locals already out looking for him. Since then it's just grown.' Many of the posters stuck to trees around the area were new to Louise. She said a neighbour had been out putting them up. Volunteers have also been out searching with drones but have so far notfound anything. Another volunteer has also offered a thermal drone to try to find Louie over the weekend. It's not an easy route to search. Much of the path involves climbing over rocky terrain and the occasional trickles of water from the mountain above to the gorge below. To get to the bottom of Steall Falls, the family either wade through the shallow river or walk the tightrope chain-bridge hoping Louie will be able to pick up their scent. They were starting to lose hope after a week and a half of no sightings but last weekend a sniffer dog picked up his scent after smelling Louie's blanket. Hopes have been raised further as searchers heard barking on early Thursday morning echoing through the valley. 'I think he's gone into survival mode,' Louise says, 'When he realised nobody was here he's taken off and started fending for himself … until he gets my scent he won't come anywhere near me. Once he gets my scent and he comes closer to me apparently he will just snap out of it.' Armed with dirty clothes covered with her scent, Louise is planning to camp out at Glen Nevis this weekend close to where Louie went missing to try to lure him back. 'He's got to be somewhere,' she says. 'When he turns up it'll be amazing.'


The Sun
16 hours ago
- The Sun
Man dies in horror blaze in Scots city as 40 people evacuated from huge inferno
A MAN has tragically died in a horror blaze at a four-storey building. Around 40 people were forced to leave their homes after the fire broke out in Perth in the early hours of Saturday. 4 4 4 4 A man was pronounced dead at the scene, on Scott Street, while an eight-year-old girl and a 27-year-old man were taken to hospital for treatment. Two firefighters also sustained minor injuries and received medical attention. Police Scotland Chief Superintendent Nicola Russell, Divisional Commander for Tayside, said: 'Our thoughts are with all those affected by this incident. 'Investigations are at a very early stage to establish the full circumstances of what has happened. "We are conducting a joint investigation with Scottish Fire and Rescue Service." First Minister John Swinney, the MSP for Perthshire North, wrote on social media: "Terribly sorry to hear of the death of a man in the fire in Scott Street, Perth. "I express my sympathy to his family. "Concerned also for the condition of those who are receiving hospital treatment. "This is a major incident and I am thankful to the emergency services." Busy Scots motorway brought to complete standstill as car bursts into flames Kinross Council Deputy Leader, Councillor Eric Drysdale, added: "I would like to send sincere condolences to the family and friends of the man who has tragically lost his life in this incident. "My thoughts are also with all the other people who have been affected by this very serious fire. " "I wish to praise the significant immediate response from all the first responders and especially our brave firefighters who hurried towards this major fire and put their lives at risk to rescue occupants from the building and tackle the blaze." The blaze was discovered by police officers patrolling the area at around 1.50am. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Scottish Ambulance Service were also alerted and raced to the scene. Neighbouring blocks of flats were evacuated, with residents being supported by partner agencies. Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Andy Girrity of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: 'On arrival, firefighters found the roof of a four-storey residential building well alight. "Initially, three appliances were mobilised, but due to the severity of the blaze and structural collapses, a total of twelve appliances were involved at the height of the incident. 'Five casualties, including one firefighter injured by falling masonry, were passed into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service. 'The incident has now been scaled back, and two appliances and one height vehicle remain on scene to dampen down hot spots.' Road closures remain in place at Scott Street and South Street, with members of the public asked to avoid the area. A temporary airspace restriction has also been put place for the Scott Street and South Street areas of Perth until Wednesday. The restrictions include drones. Cops said anyone found in breach could be committing a criminal offence. A rest centre for evacuated residents has also been set up at the Salutation Hotel. Those displaced have been promised "suitable alternative accommodation" in addition to food, clothes, replacement medication, toiletries, toys and help with their pets.


Daily Mail
17 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Heartbroken firefighters pay tribute to female colleague, 30, who was killed when major blaze collapsed building
Firefighters have lined the streets to honour the life of their young female colleague who died in the line of duty during a major blaze last month. Jennie Logan, 30, was given a full ceremonial fire service funeral, with mourners paying tribute to her bravery, fearlessness and dedication to Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. Ms Logan's coffin, draped in the Union flag, was carried atop an aerial ladder platform fire engine through the streets of Bicester in Oxfordshire on Saturday morning. Hundreds of people gathered along the route in respectful silence while uniformed firefighters marched behind the coffin. Ms Logan was killed in a fire at the Bicester Motion site on May 15, alongside fellow firefighter Martyn Sadler, 38, and local businessman Dave Chester, 57. The cortege paused outside Bicester fire station just after 10am, where firefighters stood to attention for a minute's silence. A private service followed at the request of Ms Logan's family. Ten fire crews were called to tackle the blaze, and thick black smoke could be seen rising into the sky. Two other firefighters sustained serious injuries in the blaze. Thames Valley Police said post-mortem examinations suggested the three victims sustained injuries 'typically caused by the collapse of part of a structure'. An investigation by the force's major crime unit is ongoing, alongside inquiries by the Health and Safety Executive and fire investigators. An inquest has been adjourned until 25 November. Ms Logan, was the second female firefighter to die on duty in peacetime, following Fleur Lombard, 21, who died in Bristol in 1996. Tributes poured in after the tragedy, with Ms Logan's family describing her as their 'hero'. 'Her bravery and fearlessness shone through right until the end,' they said. 'She will always be our hero and we are so immensely proud of her. Forever in our hearts.' Books of condolence were opened across Bicester in the days following the fire, and two gold plaques were placed at the scene of the blaze. The tribute read: 'Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. Bicester Motion. 'Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those affected by the sad loss of two firefighters and the member of the public. Love from the Bicester community.' Mr Sadler's family said firefighting 'was always in his blood', adding: 'Our world has fallen apart and our hearts are completely broken, but somewhere in amongst it all we are immensely proud of him and his unwavering bravery. ' The family said Ms Logan was a 'much loved daughter and sister' and 'mum' to her dog Mouse. Mr Chester, a father of two, was described by his family as 'Bicester born and bred' with a 'quirky sense of humour'. 'He was not a victim but a hero,' they said. 'He died the way he lived - helping others and putting them ahead of himself.'