Blairgowrie, Rattray & District Angling Association

The Royal Humane Society has issued the following press release:-

 

An angler who fell from his boat while fishing for pike on Fingask Loch, Carsie, by Blairgowrie, owes his life to an incredible fight by a fellow fisherman to bring him back from the brink of death and then, with the help of two others to get him to the safety of the shore. Now all three rescuers have been awarded major national life-saving honours.

 

James Low from Blairgowrie was also fishing in the loch about 300 metres away when he spotted the man’s boat and realised there was no-one in it. He also spotted something floating on the surface of the water nearby.

 

He rowed over to it and found his fellow angler lying face down in the water. It later transpired that the man had fallen while standing in his boat to bail water out. Mr Low, a non swimmer, then risked being pulled into the water himself as he grabbed hold of the man and tried in vain to haul him into his own boat.

 

When he realised this was not possible he then began to precariously attempt to give the man in the water the kiss of life in a bid to bring him back to life. Amazingly the man coughed up water and began to breathe again but then started to struggle violently and Mr Low feared he could be pulled into the water.

 

However, he calmed the man down but then the man stopped breathing again and Mr Low again began to administer rescue breaths to him and took off his own life jacket, inflated it and manoeuvred it under the man to help keep him afloat. He then managed to phone, Peter Lock, who lives nearby for help. He alerted the emergency services and drove to the loch.

 

Another man, Ken Greig, who had seen what was happening obtained a boat and then rowed out and helped Mr Low while Mr Lock initially stayed on shore to direct the emergency services. He then also rowed another boat out and the three of them succeeded in getting the man out of the water and into one of the boats and back to dry land where he was treated by waiting paramedics and then taken to hospital.

 

Thanks to the fight by the three rescue heroes he was released from hospital after three days and went on to make a complete recovery.

 

Now Mr Low, who spent nearly half an hour fighting to keep the man afloat and bring him back to life before help arrived – he suffered a cracked rib and torn muscles in the process - has been awarded a Royal Humane Society Testimonial on Vellum and a Resuscitation Certificate. Mr Lock and Mr Greig, both also from Blairgowrie have been awarded Certificates of Commendation by the Society. The rescue trio have also won the personal praise of Andrew Chapman, Secretary of the Society.

 

“There is no doubt that if Mr Low had not spotted the man and acted as he did the man would have drowned,” said Mr Chapman. “What he did was truly amazing. How he managed to hold he man up, lean over the side of the boat and give him rescue breaths is incredible. And of course at the same time, as a non swimmer, he was in serious danger of being pulled into the water himself.

 

“Thankfully Mr Lock and Mr Greig then finally reached the scene and were able to help in the fight to get the man back to the safety of the shore where he went on to survive.  They all richly deserve the awards they are to receive.”

 

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On Tuesday 4th August 2026, James, Peter and Ken were presented with their framed certificates at a short ceremony attended by their families.  Congratulations to all!

Gavin Robertson, Secretary.

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