Passers-by rescue woman and young grandchildren from Falkirk canal

Grant Dempster was one of three men who rushed to the trio’s aid this morning when he heard “screams for help”.

The 29-year-old had been out walking his dog near Lock 13 on the Forth and Clyde Canal in Falkirk as the emergency situation unfolded.

Within seconds he and another member of the public jumped into the water to drag the children — thought to be aged four or five — and their grandmother towards the canalside where the third man stood to ensure they got out safely.

An ambulance was called a short time later.

Recalling the moment, Grant, who lives in nearby Rosebank Avenue, said: “I saw a man running over the bridge and heard a few screams for help.

“A woman fell into the canal with her two grandchildren. I think they’d been feeding the ducks.

“I jumped in and was up to my waist and another guy came across and we made a human chain to pass them on to another guy.

“The kids were screaming and very cold. One of the first things that went through my head was, ‘Get the kids out’.

“The woman said they were her grandkids. She was probably in her 60s and they were four or five.

“At the start when you hear somebody shout ‘help’ you don’t expect it. I just went to help them.”

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “We received a call at 8.15am to attend an incident at the Lock 13 canal, Rosebank in Falkirk.

“An ambulance was dispatched to the scene and three patients were taken to Forth Valley Royal Hospital for further assessment.”

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed a crew attended but wasn’t required.