AN elderly man is critically ill after being pulled from a reservoir by water ski instructors who spotted him while they were taking a lesson.

Instructors at the Whitworth Water Ski Centre say they warned 84-year-old George O'Neil to get off the floating jetty, which extends from the reservoir, off Tong Lane, Whitworth.

They had noticed Mr O'Neil, who is from Whitworth, on the jetty, and became concerned, but he had appeared to leave the area.

However, the pensioner appears to have returned, as minutes later water ski instructor Scott Perprer, who was driving a ski boat on the reservoir at the time with a water-skier in tow, noticed he was lying face down in the water next to the jetty.

Mr Perprer said: "We went straight over and pulled him out and attempted to resuscitate him.

"It was very hard to tell if he was breathing because the wind was howling.

"We called an ambulance and they were there very quickly."

Mr Perprer, who is currently responsible for the centre while the manager is away, said Mr O'Neil was wearing about six layers of clothes, which would have made it difficult for him to get out of the water. Mr O'Neil's overcoat was still on the jetty.

The incident happened at about 4.45pm, on Thursday, and Mr O'Neil was originally taken to Rochdale Infirmary, before being transferred to the University Hospital Aintree, in Fazakerley, Liverpool.

Police are not treating the incident as suspicious and Mr O'Neil's condition was said to be critical but stable yesterday.