A lucky escape for a fellow boatman on our last day on the canal
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382814)
Rockingham, Australia
May 27, 2019 3:32am CST
We’ve recently finished a canal boat journey on the Canal Lateral a la Loire in France. The locks on the canal were very interesting. When we hired a narrow boat in Ireland, we had to operate the locks ourselves but in France apart from a few that operated mechanically, the rest were operated by lock-keepers. Some keepers looked after several locks. We wondered when maintenance on the locks occurred but found out on our last day on the canal.
We were told the lock-keepers on seven consecutive locks were on strike and we were told we’d have to stay where we were until next morning. it didn't really inconvenience us too much, however, it did result in a few moments of panic at one point.
There were five boats all tied up waiting at the lock and one of the guys off an Italian boat fell in the lock and nearly drowned. Although the lock gates were shut there was still some water going through and a lot of suction.
A young man driving past saw what was happening, stopped his car and jumped in to help get him out. He was unconscious when he was eventually pulled ashore but quickly came round. He was pretty lucky though.
The photo is of our canal boat. Vince is holding out our boxing kangaroo flag.
33 people like this
31 responses
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
27 May 19
OMG!! He surely had lucky escape. Thanks to the brave young man and his quick reflexes.
The photo is taking too long to upload. I can't see the boxing kangaroo flag. Will check it later.
4 people like this
@JudyEv (382814)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 May 19
I hope it comes up later. I'll add it here as well.
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
5 Jun 19
@JudyEv Thank You. I could spot it here.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382814)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 May 19
That is our boat. There were two bedrooms with ensuites each end. The middle was a kitchen and living/dining area.
@yanzalong (19091)
• Indonesia
27 May 19
That was frightening to me. I cannot swim.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382814)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 May 19
I can't swim either and yes, it was indeed frightening.
@allknowing (153529)
• India
28 May 19
Quite puzzled about "lock" (lol)
Glad that guy was saved.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382814)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 May 19
I'll explain them in another post. They are used on the canals to move boats from one level to another.
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
27 May 19
What an adventure you're having! Glad that guy was rescued.
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (91214)
• United States
27 May 19
Love the picture of your boat and Vince holding the boxing flag.
How lucky that young man was to be rescued. Must have been pretty scary seeing him fall overboard.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (382814)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 May 19
The man who fell overboard was an older man but a young man helped rescue him. It was very scary as he disappeared completely for a few minutes.
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
28 May 19
wow that was a scary moment for sure! Glad he survived - what timing for you guys! You could now write a book on all your adventures on the Continent over the years.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382814)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 May 19
@MarymargII One of our party almost fell in the canal when her foot slipped off the rubber surround as she was trying to get into the boat.
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@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
31 May 19
@JudyEv I think you have and you've lived to tell the stories too!
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
27 May 19
It is always a trip! Thanks for sharing, I feel like I am there with you!
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382814)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 May 19
It happened very quickly and very unexpectedly. One minute most are having lunch then there was a shout and all the men went running to the lock.
@RasmaSandra (98187)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
28 May 19
Great photo I would enjoy taking a ride on that boat. Glad you're having a good time and happy to hear the guy got saved.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382814)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 May 19
@Ronrybs It is very, very easy to have an accident. One of our party slipped trying to step from the edge of the canal onto the boat. Her shoe didn't have much traction and she almost fell between the boat and the edge. Luckily she had a good hold on the side rails.
1 person likes this
