A man was rescued from the roof of a van after its crashed off a road, plunged down a 30ft embankment and landed in the sea yesterday.
By pure luck a specialist fire service water rescue team was on exercise nearby under the Connel bridge and was able to dash to his aid.
The Citroen Berlingo van went off the road at 10.55am and landed in Ardmucknish Bay near Saulmore Farm on the A85 between Connell and Dunbeg. The 26-year-old driver was able to escape from the van and scramble onto its roof.
Coastguard, police, fire and Oban Lifeboat were alerted.
The man, who is being reported to the procurator fiscal regarding the manner of his driving, was unhurt.
Chief Inspector Alistair Davidson of Oban Police said: “We had a report from a passer-by who said a hire van had gone into the water and the driver was out sitting on top of the van.
“He appears to have lost control of the vehicle.
“He was frightened to come off the roof of the van. He was safe and well, but cold and embarrassed.”
Oban Lifeboat stood by with two crew members kitted out in dry suits until it was confirmed there was no other person in the van.
Station manager Martin Hill of Oban Fire Station, the incident commander, said: “Both the whole time and retained crews from Oban responded to find a van partially submerged in around 5ft of water with the driver on the roof of the vehicle.
“Our specialist water rescue unit from Clydesmill in Glasgow had been training in the area at the time of the incident. They quickly arrived by boat and got the man to shore, where the Oban crews used lines of rope to ensure he was safely brought up the embankment and passed to a waiting ambulance.”
After firefighters rescued the motorist from the water he was taken to Oban General Hospital by ambulance for a precautionary check-up. Police closed the A85 for around an hour as the rescue operation took place.
Mr Hill added: “This is a clear example of firefighters working in partnership with our fellow emergency services to protect the public.
“Operating on information supplied the Coastguard and in conjunction with our ambulance and police colleagues, our crews from Oban Community Fire Station and our swift water rescue team ensured the motorist was brought to safety.”