Hero teenager saves Grandad from drowning after freak wave on Loch Fyne

A TEENAGER has been hailed as a hero after saving his grandad from drowning.

Quick-thinking Andrew Paton helped rescue Sandy Malcolm, 82, after a freak wave caused him to topple from his speedboat

First, the 13-year-old cut the boat’s engines to stop Sandy from being injured by the propellor.

Then he guided the craft back to where his grandad had falloen overboard so he could get a rope around him.

All the while, he was on the phone to the Coastguard, who alerted a rescue boat and RAF helicopter.

The youngster eventually managed to get freezing Sandy out of the water with help from a family on a passing boat.

Despite his actions, Andrew is “embarrassed at becoming a hero” according to mum Christine, 51, who said: “He shies away from fuss and has been very matter-of-fact since saving his grandad.”

The life-or-death drama unfolded on Loch Fyne last weekend.

Former joiner Sandy, from Tighnabruaich, Argyll, believed he was a “goner” and that his “time had come” after being thrown from the boat.

Andrew, however, had other ideas.

“I turned the boat around, restarted the engine and fought to get back to where grandpa had gone under the water,” said Andrew, of Darnley, Glasgow.

“I knew if I could get a rope around him and under his arms I could lash him to the side until help arrived. He tried to get back on board but couldn’t make it up the steps.”

Eventually, passing Good Samaritans Neil Harrison, his wife Fiona, their children Ruairidh and Sheena, and Fiona’s dad Iain, came to their rescue.

“We were never so pleased to see anyone,” continued Andrew. “Grandpa had been in the water for 30 minutes and I feared he wouldn’t last much longer.

“We will be forever grateful to the guys on that boat.”

Sandy said: “I could see Andrew on the boat and he did everything to keep me alive.

“It’s so true I just wouldn’t be here without my hero grandson. He did everything perfectly to save me.

“I am so proud of him.

“I have been on boats all my life but I don’t think I’ll be back in the water.

“I am so lucky to be alive.”

Christine, who works as a nurse, said she discovered the danger her dad was in when she called Andrew to see if they were enjoying their day trip.

“I had a sickening feeling in my stomach,” she said.

“It’s a deep stretch and although they are both good sailors I feared for them.

“It could have been so different if Andrew hadn’t acted quickly.

“Dad has heart failure and spent the night in hospital but is recovering well.

“We are so grateful to Neil and his family.”

The drama didn’t end there though. Unable to lift Sandy off the boat after mooring in Tarbert, Neil and his family were asked to go back out to the middle of the loch to allow the RAF to winch him to safety.

Sandy was eventually flown by helicopter to a nearby hospital where he was treated for mild hypothermia.

Andrew has loved being around boats since he was a toddler and has been sailing since he was just seven.

It’s now likely the teenager will be honoured for his actions.

Dawn Petrie, from the Coastguard Coordination Centre at Belfast, said: “We were struck by how brave and sensible this young boy behaved.

“He knew to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard, he also managed to get a rope to his grandfather and keep him safe until help reached them.

“He deserves to be commended for his courage and quick thinking.”