A Ross couple are feeling very thankful after the speedy actions of Alan Waterman saved Don Millintgon from the River Wye, where he had been fishing.

83-year-old Don, who is a life-long angler, was fishing on the bank of the River Wye by Wilton Bridge, on Wednesday, October 17th. He was trying to net a large Barbel, but as he reached for his net he slipped on the mud and fell into the river.

Don told the Ross Gazette:?“I went right under the water and when I surfaced I was only able to grab the roots of a bush on the waters edge, I then realised I was in 4ft 6”of flowing water.”

Don was cold and his heart was beating fast. His mobile phone was in his coat pocket under the water and he felt that he could not hold on for very long.

Don’s wife, June told the Ross Gazette:?“He called for help several times and fortunately a gentleman on the other side of the river, by The White Lion Hotel, heard him and saw him struggling.”

Alan Waterman, who was watching for otters ran across the bridge and managed to find Don, and June added:?“At great risk to his own life, dragged him out of the water and helped him up the steps to the layby where his car was.”

She said that as they managed to get to the steps a taxi appeared from over the bridge.

Mr Waterman flagged it down and asked the driver if he would take Don home and then followed him to be sure Don was OK.

When he arrived at home, June said:?“I could see he was soaking wet and his waders were three quarters full of river water.” She called the paramedics and they took the couple to Hereford A&E, where Don was checked for any serious injuries and they were offered cups of tea. Once the tests had been completed June said that a doctor arrived and carefully went through the incident and examined him to be sure he would be well enough to return home and personally ordered a taxi to take them home.

June said:?“Don received exceptional care from the staff which couldn’t be faulted. We eventually left for home around 2.30am. Both Alan and the taxi driver were in touch the next morning just to check on how he was.”

The Millingtons, who are recovering on holiday this week are extrememly grateful for the prompt actions of Mr Waterman who they believe undoubtably saved Don’s life. June added:?“without his timely assistance, this story would have had a very different ending

June believes Mr Waterman is well known as a wildife observer and she hopes that by telling the story of the rescue publicly he will realise how grateful they are.See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.