Man messaged his family 'to say goodbye' after falling down icy gorge
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Dan Crank messaged his family 'to say goodbye' after slipping down an icy gorge.
Thankful to still be alive, the farmer from Preston stopped to take a picture at a Scottish beauty spot before falling into the freezing-cold Finnich Glen water.
The incident occurred at Devil's Pulpit near Loch Lomond on Wednesday, December 14.
The 25-year-old believes he suffered hypothermia and said that the cold was 'unbearable'.
He told the Daily Record: "It was absolute agony at first and then I started going numb. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.
"I text my family saying my goodbyes as I thought I was gone. I did not think anyone would get to me in time."
"The cold was unbearable, I could barely walk, I was bouncing around I was shivering that much.
"I couldn't even control my breathing, I was struggling to catch my breath.
"I have never felt anything like it and I'm a farmer so I'm used to the cold.
"If mountain rescue didn't get to me as quickly as they did, I would have died. I can't thank them and the emergency services enough for putting themselves in harm's way to save me."
Dan travelled up to Scotland on Saturday to complete the West Highland Way.
After setting up camp on Sunday, he was forced to call the whole thing off because the weather was much colder than expected.
The ongoing rail strikes also meant that Dan was unable to get home, and he decided to base himself at Drymen as a compromise. A local recommended taking a trip to Devil's Pulpit to take in the sights.
Dan has since called the beauty spot a 'dangerous place'.
He said: "The hope of anyone finding me was getting slimmer. I pulled myself onto a rock and managed to get one bar of signal on my phone that I had in a waterproof bag and dialled 999. I just blurted out what had happened and where I was, then the call cut out.
"I don't really remember what happened after that as I was in and out of consciousness. At one point I remember seeing a police officer on the bank and then at another point he was hugging me to keep me warm, and then mountain rescue were putting me in a sleeping bag."
He spent two hours in an ambulance while paramedics tried to heat up his body temperature. BnB staff took care of him through the night.
The farmer added: "I'm feeling drained and tired so I've been told I need to stay here and rest for a few days to recover. But feel incredibly lucky. I had thermals on and the right clothing, and I have survival skills through courses, so I dread to think what it would be like if I didn't.
"Devil's Pulpit is a dangerous place and I understand local people's frustration. I think the place should be shut off, I wouldn't even feel comfortable going in summer."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We received a report of concern for a person who had fallen at Finnich Glen, Stirling, around 3.45pm on Wednesday, December 14, 2022.
“Officers attended alongside a mountain rescue team and ambulance service. A 25-year-old man was rescued and checked over.”
LADbible has contacted Devil's Pulpit for comment.
Featured Image Credit: Daily Record/Media Scotland
Topics: UK News
