A TEENAGE diver was only minutes from death when he blacked out 135 feet below the North Sea.

However, the courage and professionalism of Daniel Sullivan's fellow divers averted a tragic end to a day's diving five miles off the coast of Whitby in North Yorkshire on Sunday.

The 19-year-old was with other members of the Bury Sub-Aqua Club diving to a ship wreck when he began to suffer difficulties and stopped breathing.

Daniel, of Middleton Road, Prestwich, said: "I was following the shot-line to the wreck and got to about 32 metres when I realised something was wrong.

"I signalled to my diving partner that I wanted to make my way up to the surface. The next thing I knew I was on the deck of the boat being given oxygen."

Diving partner Mr Ian Hathaway realised the danger Daniel was in but kept a cool head - even when the teenager stopped breathing. Mr Hathaway, an experienced diver and diving officer for the Bury club, said: "I knew I had a good chance of reviving Daniel once we reached the surface.

"I carried out a controlled lift to 10 metres where other members of the team, Gareth Jones and Mike Littler, gave assistance. On reaching the surface Daniel was given mouth to mouth resuscitation and he started breathing."

Taken ashore, Daniel was airlifted by RAF Sea King rescue helicopter to Hull where he was placed in a re-compression chamber for five hours as a precaution.

Mr Hathaway said: "The successful outcome of the rescue demonstrated the value of diving-related first-aid and training. It continued a 100 per cent safety record within the club.

Daniel, who has been diving for four years, must now undergo a series of medical tests to diagnose the cause of his near-death experience.

He said he was considering whether to continue diving.

He said: "Other members of the team saved my life and I cannot thank them enough. I will have to take some time to consider whether to dive again."

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