A PARAMEDIC who heroically dragged an unconscious man from the sea in Blackpool has begged people not to go in the water after pets.
Brent Kenny and his North West Ambulance Service colleague Daniel Farnworth risked their lives to rescue a 27-year-old who jumped into the waves near North Pier to try to save his dog.
The man was knocked unconscious when his head smashed against the sea wall. He only survived thanks to the skill and bravery of the medics, who risked getting swept away themselves before managing to pull the man to shore.
The dog had escaped from the water long before his owner was rescued.
And Mr Kenny, based at Blackpool Ambulance Station and a paramedic for two years, said: “Everyone knows how dangerous the sea is around North Pier and how many people have lost their lives over the last few years.
“If you go in you don’t generally come out, so this man was very lucky.
“The message I want to get out is that people should not enter the water under any circumstance and especially not after their dog because the chances are that the animal will make it out safe and well without any assistance,
“The dog was actually stood next to me as we were trying to rescue his owner and 99 per cent of the time that happens - the animal is fine.
“I am just pleased this incident had a successful outcome but it could so easily have gone the other way. The people who go in the sea there and survive are very few and far between.”
The incident happened on Tuesday during Ride The Lights, when thousands of people took to their bikes to pedal along the Promenade.
The 27-year-old, who has not been named, has made a successful recovery and has been discharged from Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
Read how The Gazette reported the story:
Heroes drag dog search man from sea
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