Mum of young kids ‘screamed’ as motorist’s battled to get to drowning tots after car plunge
Passing drivers spotted frantic Hazel Lancaster on the shore before dashing to help
A MUM screamed in panic for her doomed kids after she escaped from the family car when it plunged off the road into an icy loch.
Passing drivers spotted frantic Hazel Lancaster, 36, on the shore before dashing to help.
But Leia McCorrisken, three, and Seth, two, drowned in Loch nan Druimnean near Kilmelford, Argyll, Scotland.
Brave motorists dived into a freezing loch in a desperate bid to rescue the doomed kids from a sinking car.
Witnesses said they were “chilled to the bone” by the scene as passers-by battled in vain to save Leia and Seth.
Hero firefighters and coastguards tried for more than an hour to reach the pair who were trapped 15ft beneath the surface.
But they were unable to spot their motor in the murky water.
The tots drowned when the Subaru Forester careered off the road on a tight bend on Wednesday.
Oban volunteer coastguard Iain MacKinnon said: “The vehicle was completely submerged in the water — we couldn’t see it at all.
“Some passing motorists entered the water in an attempt to help, there were still one or two there in blankets when we arrived.”
Onlookers said the victims’ mum Hazel Lancaster, 36, was “hysterical” as she was helped from the water.
Mr MacKinnon, 56, added: “I think some motorist got her to the shore. Presumably the mother was swimming, trying to reach safety, when the guy went to help her.
“Firemen were attempting to dive down and we put somebody in the water to help them — our man is a qualified diver and was able to assist the firemen.
“But the car was just too deep to get to, it is that dark, peaty water.
“They kept trying for 1½ hours to get to the car and kept changing teams because of the cold.
“The water was bitterly cold, probably 5 or 6°C. The loch freezes over in winter but the temperature is much the same now as then.”
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One driver on the A816 stretch between Oban and Lochgilphead told how heartbroken Hazel was “screaming” in the loch.
The local said: “I saw all this commotion up ahead.
“There was a woman with short dark hair standing the water up to her knees. She was frantic.
“She wasn’t screaming words or shouting for help. Just screaming — it was terrifying.”
“Two men tried to calm her down. I was shocked there was no hint of a car — it was totally submerged.”
The toddlers’ bodies were later pulled from the loch around 9pm — five hours after the accident.
Hazel was taken to hospital in Oban but later released.
Last night she was being comforted by a relative at the family home in Toberonochy on the Isle of Luing.
She was too upset to speak about what happened but said: “I’ve issued pictures to the police. I don’t know what else to say.”
The family moved to the remote island within the last 18 months where the kids’ dad Neil McCorrisken, 43, runs a business.
A neighbour called the children “lovely” and said the tragedy had hit the close-knit community hard.
He said: “I heard the terrible news — it really is very sad. They were such happy little kids and a lovely family.”
A Luing community council spokesman added: “The whole island is completely distraught — we feel for the poor parents.
“Our thoughts go out to the family, it’s all absolutely tragic.”
Cops were last night continuing to investigate the tragedy which happened after heavy rain. A damaged wall could be seen nearby.
Argyll MSP Michael Russell said: “The weather was terrible and the road is a difficult one at the best of times.”
A pink heart was daubed on a rock beside the loch, while flowers were laid nearby. Tributes to Seth and Leia were also posted online.
Family friend Heather Brennan said: “These two beautiful little children. Why is life so cruel?
“I cannot get my head around this — Leia was teaching me Five Little Piggies last week.
“I won’t ever forget this beautiful memory or your beautiful smile sweetheart. Absolutely heartbroken.”
Leanne Wylie, Leia’s former childminder when the family lived in Helensburgh, Argyll, added: “Heartbreaking. Gorgeous children. Sleep tight.
Isobel Mackechnie posted: “My heart goes out to all their family. It’s just devastating news. God has another two angels.”
Laura MacDonald said: “This is any parent’s worst nightmare. What a tragedy. My love and prayers are with the family.”
Ewan Hamilton wrote: “Such short lives taken away.” Roma Philand said: “Two little souls that left us too soon. RIP little darlings.”
Jessica Reynolds said: “Life just isn’t fair. My heart breaks.”
A report into the incident will be sent to the procurator fiscal.
ROAD OF DOOM
THE road from Oban to Lochgilphead has been plagued by accidents in recent years.
Last July, Kirsten McNeill, 20, was lucky to escape with her life after her car plunged into a ditch on the A816 near Cairnbaan and began to fill with water.
She tore muscles in her neck and had to be rescued by a fellow motorist. In January 2014, another woman was cut free from her vehicle after it left the road about four miles from Kilmartin.
And in 2012, retired teacher Clifford Dickson was jailed for four years for causing the death of tourist Christine Beard.
Dickson smashed into the car she was travelling in while overtaking on a blind bend. He claimed he was distracted by a buzzard.
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