Asda worker carried 40 children stranded by flooded underpass to safety

An Asda worker came to the rescue after dozens of primary school children were left stranded due to a flooded underpass in Glasgow.

Water cascaded under the bridge at Summerston Station, near Asda Maryhill, leaving the underpass knee deep in water.

Scott Wylie, who was working at the store, saw the stranded children from Parkview Primary and John Paul Academy and decided to step in to help.

Scott said: “Luckily, my warehouse colleagues warned me the floods near the store were bad, so I arrived for my shift in full waterproofs. I looked out and saw these wee ones stuck with no way across. The water was far too deep for them, and it wouldn’t be safe. I’ve got a son in secondary school myself, and you want someone to look out for them.

“The water was up to my knees, so I just knew I needed to help. I don’t think I could’ve managed to carry many of the older kids, though!”

Having dressed in full waterproofs for his shift, he made his way over to the flooded underpass and lifted children onto his shoulders, carrying them through the flood one by one.

Scott, who has lived in Maryhill all his life and worked at the Asda store for more than a decade, said: “We spotted another bus load of older children dropped off, but they immediately got drenched as a lorry drove through the floodwater, splashing a wave over them.

“Most of them had to head straight back home to change out of their uniforms. They were soaked right through.”

Scott, who lives a few minutes from the store and knows many of the local families, school staff and parents, said the community spirit in Maryhill played a big part in how quickly people reacted.

“Everyone looks out for each other here,” he said. “We wouldn’t want to see any of them stuck or in an unsafe situation, and we were glad to help.”

Not content with helping the children, Scott then worked to clear the drains of leaves, sludge and storm debris to try to reduce the flooding.

“It was quite satisfying seeing the water disappear once the drains were unclogged,” Scott added. “But honestly, it feels like it rains here 24/7 – so we’re well equipped to help each other out in the floods!”

Andy Claase, general store manager, Asda Maryhill said: “Scott has been part of the Asda family for over ten years, and this is a perfect example of the values he brings to work every day.

“He always puts the community at the heart of what he does, and we’re so proud to have him as part of the Maryhill team.”