AN 81-YEAR-OLD cyclist was rescued from a canal by an MSP who pulled him out of the water.

Bill Watson was cycling home from Bowling on the Forth and Clyde canal near Knightswood when he ended up in the water.

The octogenarian managed to keep himself above the water and gripped on to the wall on the bank but was unable to reach up to get out of the water.

Ivan McKee, Glasgow Provan MSP, rushed to Bill’s aid when he heard his cry for help while he was out running.

The pensioner said: “I was approaching the bridge over the canal and I was looking out for any fast bikes coming in the opposite direction. I realised I was over too far to one side and I couldn’t get back over and then I ended up in the water.

“Everything was really heavy and I was up to my neck in water.”

Bill, an experienced cyclist of more than 50 years, added: “Then I could see a yellow figure approaching. The look on his face when he saw me in the water was something.

“He got me out the water. I don’t know how much longer I could have held on there for without being pulled under.”

Two girls passed and they phoned for an ambulance while Ivan stayed with Bill.

He was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and treated for hypothermia and then it was discovered he also had a heart problem. He was fitted with a pacemaker and released after four days.

The retired paper mill and glass factory worker makes the trip on his bike from North Kelvinside at least once a month.

He said he hoped to be back on the bike as soon as he is well enough.

Ivan, who uses the canal towpath regularly for running, said he will be speaking to Scottish Canals and the transport minister, Humza Yousaf, to look at whether safety could be inproved following the incident.

He said at some sections under bridges there could be more barriers where the path narrows.

Mr McKee said: “I think there are certain spots where extra barriers could help. This is one of those, where the tow path goes down a slope to the bridge.”

He said he was seven miles into a 16-mile run and was thinking it was nearly time to turn round and back when he heard the shouts.

He said: “It was only when I was really close that I could see he was in the water. He was holding on to the side and still had a hold of the bike.

“I pulled the bike out first then two girls who were passing helped me get him out and called for an ambulance. He was freezing when we got him out.”

Once Bill was discharged from hospital the MSP’s staff helped him locate his bike which he though was lost after phoning round the police stations.

He was extremely grateful to get the bike back which he has had for many years.

A spokesman for Scottish Canals said: “We hope the individual concerned is now safe and well. This was undoubtedly a frightening experience but it highlights the dangers associated with an open body of water such as a canal.

“We take safety incredibly seriously but installing barriers along the canal is not always the best solution as they can make it difficult for water-based users, such as paddlers and boaters, to exit the canal in an emergency.

“We will continue to encourage all users to be mindful when travelling on or along the canal.”