I posed for this romantic picture with my girlfriend – seconds later we almost died, it was like a nightmare
CLIFFHANGER I posed for this romantic picture with my girlfriend – seconds later we almost died, it was like a nightmare
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A COUPLE who posed for a romantic photo nearly died - when a sea railing collapsed.
Stunned Ben Walsh, 40, and girlfriend Laura Taylor, 38, were strolling along the promenade when they stopped for a scenic snap.
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Ben Walsh and Laura Taylor posed for this snap seconds before horror struck
Credit: SWNS
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Ben was left hanging from his ankles over the cliff edge when the railing gave way
Credit: SWNS
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The couple described the incident as a nightmare
Credit: SWNS
But as the picture was being taken, the railing the couple were leaning against gave way - leaving Ben dangling head-first above a 15-foot drop.
Ben had to be pulled back to safety by his ankles by his terrified family.
The couple took a photo afterwards showing the broken banister in Gourock, Inverclyde, Scotland.
Shocked Ben said: "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.
"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 adrenalin just kicked in and I somehow survived.
"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.
"It was like a nightmare. We were all absolutely traumatised by it."
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Ben, from Retford in Nottinghamshire, was visiting Gourock with Laura, 38, and his parents Ian, 66, and Rachel, 60, on a motorbike tour of Scotland.
They'd stopped off in Gourock to take in some sights before catching the ferry to Argyll.
The horror fall was captured on Laura's phone as it happened.
Ben added: "It had been such a lovely evening. We had travelled up from Lumley Castle, Durham that day. We are travelling round Scotland in our motorbikes.
"We were staying in a wee holiday let next to Cleats Bar. We had a fantastic meal at Cafe Continental and went for a walk along the waterfront.
"It was a beautiful night, and we stopped so Laura and I could get a photograph taken. We leaned back and then it all happened."
Ben, a training manager with the National Grid, says he is now seriously concerned about the safety of all the barriers in the area and called for an investigation.
He said: "What concerns me the most is this railing appeared to have been welded recently. So a repair must have been carried out.
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It's a 15ft drop from the cliff
Credit: SWNS
"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."
Inverclyde Council immediately took action to cordon off the section of fence that gave way.
A spokesperson said: "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 under way to determine the cause of the issue at this location and to ensure that any necessary follow-up actions are taken."
Ben concluded: "I applaud the council's 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."
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