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Baby rescued from canal by ex-BBC political editor John Hess | Baby rescued from canal by ex-BBC political editor John Hess |
(35 minutes later) | |
A baby was dramatically rescued from a canal by a former BBC presenter when the infant's buggy fell into the water. | |
The child's grandparents became distracted when the pushchair's brake failed and it rolled into Nottingham Canal at about 10:00 BST on Tuesday. | The child's grandparents became distracted when the pushchair's brake failed and it rolled into Nottingham Canal at about 10:00 BST on Tuesday. |
Ex-political editor John Hess, 63, was cycling on the towpath and raced to help get the baby, who was strapped into the chair, out of the water. | |
He said it was like a "scene from a horror movie". | He said it was like a "scene from a horror movie". |
Mr Hess was cycling towards the BBC, in London Road, where he works part-time for the Sunday Politics programme following his retirement. | |
He abandoned his bike and ran as quick as he could. | |
'Slow motion' | |
The father of three, who lives in West Bridgford, reached into the water to help pull out the sodden pushchair, which was pressing the baby face down in the water. | |
The child's grandfather was already in the canal struggling with the weight of the buggy, along with all the additional weight. | |
Recalling the drama, Mr Hess said: "It was all in slow motion. | |
"It didn't matter how much I shouted at the grandmother; she didn't seem to be aware until late on, almost as the buggy slipped into the water. | "It didn't matter how much I shouted at the grandmother; she didn't seem to be aware until late on, almost as the buggy slipped into the water. |
"The baby and the buggy were in the water longer than anyone would want, we really did struggle to get it out. | "The baby and the buggy were in the water longer than anyone would want, we really did struggle to get it out. |
"They are all very lucky, it could have been much worse." | "They are all very lucky, it could have been much worse." |
Asked if he was a hero, Mr Hess replied that he was "fortunate" he had been at the scene at the right time. | Asked if he was a hero, Mr Hess replied that he was "fortunate" he had been at the scene at the right time. |
BBC Radio Nottingham presenter Andy Whittaker witnessed what happened from London Road above the canal. | BBC Radio Nottingham presenter Andy Whittaker witnessed what happened from London Road above the canal. |
"There's a moment where this child is on the bank and nothing happens and I'm just thinking, 'please cry'," said Mr Whittaker. | "There's a moment where this child is on the bank and nothing happens and I'm just thinking, 'please cry'," said Mr Whittaker. |
"And then it does, and that's the best sound in the world... it was under the water for 20-25 seconds." | "And then it does, and that's the best sound in the world... it was under the water for 20-25 seconds." |
Mr Whittaker said he spoke to the couple afterwards. | Mr Whittaker said he spoke to the couple afterwards. |
"Can you imagine what they're feeling, what's going through their mind? Awful." | "Can you imagine what they're feeling, what's going through their mind? Awful." |
It is believed the couple sought medical attention following what happened. | It is believed the couple sought medical attention following what happened. |
Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk. | Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk. |
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