Modest Bernard a holiday hero

BERNARD chills out in the Cyprus sun after the rescue drama

A HOLIDAYMAKER turned hero when he helped rescue an elderly man from drowning off a beach in Paphos, Cyprus.

Bernard King, of Shaw, was about to get out of the sea after a refreshing dip when he heard a call for help.

He turned around to see that a man, in his 70s, was struggling against the current and was being swept away from the jetty that protruded 30ft into the sea from the beach.

As he swam over to the man, Bernard realised there was a deceptive current which would make it difficult for him to bring the man back to shore just by himself.

So he called for help and supported the man while two other holidaymakers swam out.

Bernard said: "It was quite calm. There was a big jetty that went out into the sea and I was heading towards the ladder that lets you get out of the sea.

"It was then I heard the man call for help so I swam over to him, but the tide was pulling us out.

"I managed to call for help to the shore and two others swam out.

"It took the two of them to get him back in, I gave him a bit of comfort.

"He and his wife were relieved when he got back, although I do think he got a bit of a telling off! Other then that it was a chilled holiday."