River rescue prompts public safety concern

A Ballymena Councillor who attended the scene of a man’s rescue from the River Braid at Harryville Bridge recently has called for gated access to the area to be secured.

By The Newsroom

Published 6th Jul 2014, 12:59 BST

Speaking out at Council’s Community Planning and Wellbeing Committee meeting in The Braid last Monday night, Cllr Beth Adger called for the gate to be closed off at night-time in the interests of public safety.

The Ballymena South Councillor said having received a call on Friday evening, June 20, that a person was in the water, she had gone to Harryville Bridge and witnessed his rescue.

She praised the police, ambulance and Fire Service personnel, who were tasked to the scene after receiving a report of a man in distress just before 9.55pm, “for the efficient way they dealt with this young man”.

The man, aged in his 20s, had to be taken to hospital for treatment to his injuries which, according to police, are not believed to be life threatening.

Fire service