THE leader of Hyndburn Council narrowly escaped drowning as his summer holiday quickly turned into a nightmare.
Peter Britcliffe, who was driving to L'Estartit on the Costa Brava with his 12-year-old daughter Sara, stopped off to visit a friend in Oupia in the Languedoc region of France when the drama began.
He met up with Michael Baron, a friend originally from Oswaldtwistle, on his way to a day trip to the River Orb.
Councillor Britcliffe was admiring the view from the riverbank while splashing himself with water when he lost his footing and fell in head first.
The river, which has turbulent currents and rapids, swept him quickly downstream, much to the horror of his watching daughter.
Councillor Britcliffe said: "It all happened so quickly. One minute I was admiring the view and the next I was being swept away. It seemed so safe, children were paddling at the edges.
"Luckily, I managed to cling to a rock in the middle of the river, where I waited for help."
He added: "I was amazed to see how far downstream I had come. It was very scary but you don't really have time to think when it's happening to you. I was just worried about my daughter watching."
A German tourist eventually paddled out into the water to help the distressed councillor, throwing him a towel and pulling him to safety.
Councillor Britcliffe said: "At least we now know that the Germans can do more with a towel than reserve a sunbed."
He added: "Joking apart, the reality of what happened has really made me think. If I had not managed to grab hold of the rock, the rapids would have dragged me another quarter of a mile downstream before dumping me in a pool of deep water.
"The outcome could have been much worse. I am very grateful and will be much more careful next time."
