A POSTIE whose van rolled down a hill and ended up in Loch Lomond has been dubbed Postman Prat by his mates.
Mark Bowman chased frantically after the van full of letters as it headed for the water, but it careered across a busy road into the loch and sank.
Shocked Mark told witnesses the van's handbrake must have failed after he parked it on a slope.
But a workmate told the Record: "The poor guy has already earned the nickname Postman Prat. His face must have been redder than his van."
Mark's van went for a swim in Luss on Loch Lomond-side as he made his morning round.
Holidaymaker Sean Hannon, who caught the drama on camera, said: "I heard someone shouting, 'Oh, no!' then saw a red van careering down the hill, chased by a postman.
"It crossed the main road, went down a slope and entered Loch Lomond. The guy followed it all the way.
"I took the photos because I didn't think anyone would believe what had happened.
"I heard the postman on the phone to his boss. He said he thought the van was OK and asked if they could send someone with a van and a tow rope.
"Then he had to tell them they would need a submarine and some frogmen because the van had just sunk!
"The guy did see the funny side of it but really he was glad that no one had been hurt.
"The van had to cross quite a busy road to get to the water. I think he was worried he was going to lose his job as well."
A local resident gave Mark a cup of coffee and a bun to help him over his shock and lent him his mobile to call his bosses.
The van, which was full of mail, was in the water for several hours after the accident last Friday. Rescuers used a boat to fix ropes to it before a tow truck pulled it from the loch.
A Royal Mail spokeswoman said: "Following a technical failure, a Royal Mail vehicle unfortunately ended up in Loch Lomond last week.
"The mail is being dried out and will be delivered to customers as soon as possible."
A woman at Mark's home, in Balloch, Dunbartonshire said last night: "Is this about the post van? My husband is out helping a friend move house."
:lfo