Shocking moment yob pushes grandad into canal as terrified wife watches on

A grandfather-of-three says he is lucky to be alive after being pushed into a canal while out fishing.

Wayne Cairns, 64, was enjoying an evening's fishing with his wife Ann, 68, when the terrifying incident happened close to Telford's Warehouse at around 7pm on Wednesday, April 26. Wayne, who suffers from angina and lung problems, said he was pushed into the Shropshire Union Canal in Chester by a man who had previously been swimming there.

Wayne said he had asked the man to move before an altercation occurred involving the man and a woman and he was then pushed into the water by the man, who also went on to threaten to push Wayne's wife in. He fled the scene, leaving Wayne struggling in the water.

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His terrified wife Ann tried to get him out but was unable to do so before some passersby came along and managed to get him out to safety. Cheshire Police were called out and Wayne sought medical treatment, being prescribed antibiotics as he had ingested some canal water.

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

He added: "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