Dave Webb involved in dramatic river rescue

A MAN was saved from drowning in a dramatic river rescue in the Thames at West Thurrock.

A fisherman - who in July made the grim discovery of the body of tragic Adunayo Shittu who had drowned after swimming at Grays Beach - helped in the rescue of the man on a stretch of the river near to the Procter and Gamble factory on Friday November 14.

Dave Webb, 47, of Eden Green, South Ockendon, said: “I was chatting to the grass cutter and a photographer who was photographing murals along the sea wall.

“As we parted ways just seconds later the grass cutter came back shouting ‘there’s a body in the water’.

“I began to shout at the body and the man looked up but he didn’t say anything.

“He was floating on his back and looked in a daze.

“I went to take my boots off to go in but one of the other men said don’t go in because of the strong current.”

The photographer, who is only known as Mike, and the unnamed grass cutter alerted the police and coastguards.

They arrived within minutes and fished the man out of the water while Mr Webb continued to talk to him.

Mr Webb added: “The police and coastguards said what a good job we had done in calling them and talking to the man and that we helped to save his life.

“It seems every time I go fishing these days something happens.”

London Coastguard Watch Manager, Steve Carson, said: “The Gravesend RNLI were on the scene within 10 minutes at around 12.10pm and pulled the man out of the water just as he was going under.

“They gave him critical first aid and placed him in the care of Kent Ambulance Service.”

Essex Police confirmed a man, who is in his mid 30’s, was taken to Darent Valley Hospital in Kent where he was assessed by doctors who were concerned for his mental health.