Swept away…

Pontoon being used for Glasgow bridge dismantling carried off by surging waters.

A pontoon broke free from a Glasgow footbridge and floated down river, forcing workers at a nearby bridge to flee scaffolding amid fears it could crash into them.

Strong currents and rising water levels are thought to have caused the structure – being used by contractors dismantling the ‘unsafe’ Polmadie footbridge – to become dislodged.

It sparked an evacuation of workmen on scaffolding at Albert Bridge, which is currently being renovated.

The section of pontoon was spotted by George Parsonage, of the Glasgow Humane Society, who patrols the river.

He said the platform – one of 11 or 12 sections bolted together – came floating round the bend near the St Andrews suspension bridge shortly after 12.30pm.

It headed towards Albert Bridge, which is currently being renovated, where George, 71, raced to warn workers to get off the scaffolding in case it crashed into them.

Most of the rest of the pontoon became lodged against King’s Bridge, where it is currently situated.

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