A FISHERMAN has told of his lucky escape after a massive wave swept over him, at the same spot where three members of a Leigh family were killed in Scotland.

Shaun Ridley, aged 37, and his sons Steven, aged 15, and 13-year-old Michael, from Abbey Lane, were killed after a huge wave overturned their speedboat. The family were on holiday, along with Mr Ridley's father Brian, in Loch Ryan, near Stranraer, in July this year.

In the latest incident , Raymond McLeod, aged 40, was fishing in the same loch when a giant wave threw him off his 20-foot cabin cruiser. He suffered a broken wrist, cracked ribs and whiplash.

Marine accident experts are now investigating both incidents to see if the cause of both accidents was the Stena catamaran that sails between Stranraer and Belfast.

Brian Ridley, who was taken to hospital after the accident in July, blamed the ferry for the deaths of his son and grandsons at the time.

He said: "Something has to be done. I believe that it was definitely the wash from the ferry which sank us."

SMP for Galloway and Upper Nithsdale, Alex Fergusson said: "There are two things which need to be addressed.

Speed limits

"Are the speed limits in the loch where they should be and should they be extended? If the inquiry into the tragic deaths of the dad and his two sons doesn't answer them, then I will push for them to be answered."

Other fishermen nearer to shore had tried to warn Mr McLeod before the waves struck.

Mr McLeod said: "I turned around and a wave hit me in the face and upper body and knocked me through the cabin. It smashed all the seat, electrics, smashed the engine covers off and killed the engines. Then it forced the boat up, turning it on its side 50 yards into the rocks."

A second wave then washed up on the beach, smashing the window of his jeep.

Small warning signs have been put up around the loch car park, warning of the possibility of waves caused by ferries.

The funeral of the Ridley's will take place on Monday, at St Paul's Church, Westleigh, at 11am.