Drowning toddler saved by fireman

AN OFF-DUTY firefighter has been labelled a hero for saving a three-year-old who nearly drowned in St Sampson's Harbour. After Matt Roger resuscitated him, the boy, one of a pair of twins, was flown to Southampton and his family kept a bedside vigil at the city's General Hospital.

Initially his condition was critical and there were fears he might have suffered brain damage. But his father confirmed yesterday that his son had made a full recovery and was back at home.

The family are hugely grateful to Mr Roger.

'He saved my boy's life and he is a hero,' said the 23-year-old father.

'I have never been so scared. I'm just glad he is back safe and well. Although it was an unlucky accident, he is extremely lucky the firefighter was there otherwise God knows what would have happened. I will be writing a letter to the firefighter thanking him.'

On the afternoon of Wednesday 15 August, Mr Roger had just pulled up at St Sampson's marina.

'I was getting some tools out of my van when I heard cries for help. At first I could not see where they were coming from,' he said.

He then saw a woman in the water holding a young child.

'I ran down the beach. He was in her arms and was limp and showed no signs of life,' said Mr Roger.

He told the woman he was an off-duty firefighter and was first-aid trained.

'I took him out of her arms and laid him on the beach and commenced CPR. At the same time, with my other hand, I dialled 999 on my mobile.'

The equivalent of a small cupful of water came out of the child's mouth. Within 40 seconds, the youngster began to breathe.

'I cleared his mouth and nose and he started to breathe more normally,' Mr Roger said.

He took him up the beach to find that a man in a Marine & General van had stopped to see if he needed any help.

The child was nursed in the van with the heater on to limit the effects of hypothermia while waiting for the ambulance.

'It all happened very quickly and I'm lucky to be in the job I'm in. We train for these situations, but hope that we won't ever need to do it.

'I feel privileged to have known what to do. I was in the right place at the right time and I responded to a call for help,' he said.

The first few minutes are vital, said Mr Roger. 'It was a good feeling that you hear someone shouting for help and are able to help.

He said that that many people had a role in the happy outcome.

The boy's twin brother had raised the alarm and his grandmother got him out of the water and attracted attention so that he and the ambulance and hospital services could save the youngster.

When Mr Roger first saw him, the boy's face was white and his lips blue.

'He is very, very lucky to be alive - there is no doubt about that.'

* At the family's request, the boy's name has not been released by the Guernsey Press.