A POLICE sergeant saved a man from drowning off South Pier on Sunday (May 16) evening.

The drama started when the coastguard took a mobile phone-call from a man saying he was going into the sea to take his own life. The coastguard alerted police and kept the man talking, but the connection was cut off by the water.

Sgt Paul Boyes said: "By the time we got there he was quite a long way out, beyond his depth. He couldn't swim and there was no lifeboat in sight so I took off my shoes and equipment, waded in and swam out.

"It was quite difficult swimming fully-clothed and by the time I got to him he was going under so I held him afloat. He lapsed into unconsciousness and then the inshore lifeboat arrived to take us both back to shore where he started convulsing and the ambulance took him to hospital."

Blackpool police are advised to be extremely cautious about entering the sea since three officers drowned several years ago trying to save the life of a man trying to rescue his dog. But Sgt Boyes said on Sunday the sea was calm and he took a considered judgment.

The man was treated in Blackpool Victoria Hospital where his condition the next day was comfortable.

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