Glad the vole didn't get squished!
I had a water vole attack my bag this evening.
I'd set up my little stool and had my camera ready, and then the brambles parted by my feet and the vole peered out. I sat really still and it didn't see me; it made a bee-line for my bag, which had an apple in it, and started dragging the bag towards the bank with its teeth. I didn't especially want to lose my bag, but I didn't want to scare the vole. Anyway, it gave up after a minute and I managed then to get some photos (it had been too close before).
I've had something similar happen with a rat, but never a water vole so close.