A Polish man who tried in vain to save his friend from falling off a bridge and drowning in the River Ness has won his battle to return to the Highlands.
Kamil Luczak was “delighted” last night after winning his appeal to be allowed back into the country following his deportation this summer.
He had been detained in Inverness in February just days after witnessing his friend and compatriot, Marek Michalak, fall into the water from the city’s Greig Street bridge.
His support worker claimed at the time that he was suffering from post-traumatic stress after reports he had grabbed Mr Michalak’s hand to try to save him – but was not strong enough to prevent him from being swept away.
Police have never confirmed the identity of the missing person, however a man’s body was washed up on Nairn’s West Beach in March.
Mr Luczak spent months in London’s Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centre, where he complained of being denied medical treatment.
He was then sent back to Poland to serve time in jail for what was reported to be a breach of bail conditions relating to an unpaid fine.
But a judge has now ruled that Mr Luczak does not pose any serious threat to the UK after hearing how he has been rehabilitated.
Aldona Fryc-Danielewska, a lawyer who worked with Mr Luczak and Mr Michalak as a volunteer at the Polish Support Group Inverness, had campaigned for his return.
Last night, she said: “It’s good news. They said Kamil may be able to return to Scotland.
“He’s going to remain in Poland for the next couple of months because he’s undergoing therapy. He’s going to improve and return to Scotland.
“He’s delighted. They said he was on a good path and he wasn’t a threat to the UK in any way, because this is what the government raised.”
Mr Luczak has recently expressed a desire to start-up a new paving business in Inverness.
A full-scale emergency was launched on January 31 after Mr Michalak fell into the water, involving the coastguard rescue helicopter and lifeboat.
A man’s body was spotted by a member of the public at Nairn’s West Beach on March 29.
