February 14th 2002
A WOMAN had a miraculous escape on Monday night (11/2/02) when the van she was driving plunged down the Devil’s Beef Tub.
Samantha McShane, of West Linton, Edinburgh, lost control of the Volkswagen Transporter on the A701 at the beauty spot above Moffat.
The white P registered van plunged about 500 feet to the bottom of the ravine and landed on its wheels.
Despite being injured, Mrs McShane, who was alone in the vehicle, was able to free herself from the wreckage and climb up the steep sides of the Beef Tub.
She them managed to flag down a passing lorry driver, who called the police.
The lucky driver was taken to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary with injuries described as “non-life threatening.”
Her escape has been described as “incredible” by the leader of the Mountain Rescue team, Neil Sutherland.
The Beef Tub – used during the reiving times to hide stolen cattle – has such steep sides that the rescue teams use it for stretcher practice.
Mr Sutherland said: “It is quite incredible that this woman survived this, she would not get away with it a second time.
“It is quite difficult to even walk up there but to crawl up there in the dark, with no lights or anything, after being hurt is quite incredible.”
A spokesman at the regional hospital yesterday described Mrs McShane’s condition as “improving”. She sustained multiple bruising an is being kept in hospital for observation.
The white van, from which Mrs McShane escaped, is pictured lying at the bottom of the Devil’s Beef Tub.
