Buggy comes back from the depths after riverside rescue

Published: 5 September 2022

A Grandfather who thought he had lost a child’s buggy for good, after it rolled into the River Exe – thankfully without his granddaughter onboard – has praised a council worker who managed to fish the item out of the water.

Martin Miles was enjoying a day out at Exeter Quay with his Granddaughter Pippa when the unfortunate accident happened. They had just enjoyed a pit-stop at Sundays Café next to the waterside.

“When we had finished having something to eat and drink, Pippa decided she wanted to walk and tried to climb over one of the metal chains on the Quay. Anticipating a nasty accident I went to help her and we turned to see the buggy roll slowly off the Quay into the river!” said Martin.

“We went to the edge and watched it slowly sink until all that was left was bubble rising to the surface. ‘Oh dear’, said Pippa, ‘Silly Granddad!" Martin recalled.

Martin tried on two occasions over the next couple of days to fish it out using a homemade grappling hook but had no luck but plenty of interest from passers-by.

Martin quickly resigned himself to having to buy a new one. However, two days later, at the end of the dog walk he saw River and Canal Technician Mark Linne opening up the canal and river office, so decided to go and explain what had happened.

Mark offered to help and meet Martin at the quayside 30 minutes later. 

“We ‘fished’ for 20 minutes with a grappling hook each, but to no avail,” said Martin, “then Mark managed to find it and together we hauled out the smelly, snail covered buggy!

“After a thorough clean it is now as good as it was, Pippa's mum is very grateful and Pippa excited to have her buggy back.

“So a big thank you to Mark whose friendly and supportive approach was a credit to the canal and river team.”