Major late night rescue operation averted tragedy in Cumbernauld

A 24 year-old woman has had a lucky escape after a late night rescue operation was launched to save her from “genuinely horrendous” conditions in a rural waterway.

Cumbernauld Police have confirmed they received a call around 11.30pm last Wednesday (January 6), concerning a female in distress, but that her exact location could not be verified.

This sparked an intensive ground search involving both police and fire services with an ambulance on standby.

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The rescue squad succeeded in narrowing down the area by 1.30am which involved a watery stretch between Abronhill and Cumberanuld House Park.

The stricken woman was safely rescued from the freezing water and found to be suffering from the effects of hypothermia and was immediately rushed to Monklands hospital.

The treatment she received there led to her being discharged later that day.

The strenuous and skilled intervention of the rescuers working in icy conditions have been praised by Cumbernauld communitiy inspector Neil MacLeod who acknowledged that they saved the stricken woman from a worse fate as the bitter winter weather of late did its worst.

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He said: “The actions of the officers in what was genuinely horrendous and dangerous conditions underfoot are to be absolutely commended.

“The officers involved should be very very proud of themselves.

“The assistance of our partner agencies was pivotal also in getting the female the medical attention she urgently needed.

“This incident could have had a more tragic outcome if it wasn’t for the swift and brave actions of all concerned.”

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