What a catch!

From the Echo, first published Wednesday 15th Oct 2003.

AN EAGLE-eyed young fisherman who saved a child from drowning has been hailed as a hero by the boy's grateful father.

Christopher Bates, 20, sprang into action to pluck three-year-old Timothy Sykes from the sea at Mudeford Quay, just seconds before the youngster was pulled under the surface by the treacherous currents.

And Christopher - who refused so much as a free drink in recognition of his rescuing efforts - has kept in touch with Timothy's family to check on the boy's progress after he was rushed to hospital for treatment.

Timothy was unharmed by the incident, and his dad Ian Sykes has praised Christopher as a shining symbol of local young people.

"Youths get such a bad press for one thing or another, but what this lad did was brilliant," he said.

"He saved my son's life, and I think that deserves all the attention it can get."

Mr Sykes was crab fishing on the quay with Timothy and six-year-old elder brother Joshua when the drama unfolded.

"While I was getting the lines sorted out, Timothy wandered over to the low edge of the quay, where there are no railings, and slipped on some slime," he explained.

"Joshua saw him fall into the water, and ran to alert some people close by. Before I knew what was happening, Christopher was on the scene and pulling him out. There were only his hands left above the water, so another few seconds and he would have been gone."

Keen fisherman Christopher, who works at Active Sensors in Christ-church, said: "I noticed a splash in the corner of my eye and I didn't think much of it at first - I thought it was a bird or a fish.

"Then I saw the little arms flapping in the water and just jumped in and pulled him out."

Mr Sykes added: "Luckily there was a paramedic dealing with another incident at the entrance to the quay, so we were able to get Timothy quickly off to hospital. He was given the all-clear from the paediatrics unit at Poole, though he is still pretty shaken.

"Christopher has called us since to see how he is, which also goes to show what a great lad he is. I cannot thank him enough."

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