By Anuji Varma
The Birmingham Evening Mail
Birmingham, England — This is hero paramedic Dennis Loughlin who dived into a Birmingham canal to save a man from drowning.
The dad-of-four jumped into the mucky water to pluck the man to safety from the canal off Bristol Road, near Selly Oak railway station.
The incident happened at 7.50pm on Wednesday after Dennis, from the rapid response vehicle, was sent to the scene.
His speedy actions almost certainly saved the man’s life.
But modest Dennis, of Northfield, said it was all part of the job.
“I didn’t really think about what I was getting into. Only that a man would have died had I not jumped in to save him. Once I was in there I realised how deep it was.” Dennis, who has been a paramedic for just two years, added: “When I got there I saw a man floating face down in the canal. I scrambled down the embankment and then swam out to him.
“The water was too deep to stand in so my main concern was to get him turned over, which I did. Thankfully, he spluttered and started breathing again as soon as his mouth was clear of the water. He was clearly intoxicated, very confused and just wanted to go to sleep. Because the water was too deep, there was no way that I could get him out. Fortunately, my colleagues started arriving soon afterwards, but we were still faced with a difficult task of getting the man out as we were unsure if he was injured.
“A specialist stretcher was brought to the scene that we could use to immobilise the man whilst he was still in the water and then the fire service assisted us in getting him out. In the end I was in the water for about 40 minutes.
“It really was instinctive. I knew that if I didn’t go into the water, the man had no chance. Helping a patient in such circumstances is what I do - it’s my job.”
The man, who was in his 30s, was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Dennis, who is based at Bristol Road Ambulance Station, was also taken to same hospital for a check-up. After drying off and getting a fresh uniform he continued on with his shift.
“I’m back on duty today so I’ll find out the patient’s condition. I’ve always wanted to be a paramedic but it was so difficult to get into the profession, I had tried on many occasions. I wanted to do something that was different every day and challenging. And it’s certainly proved to be that.”
Canal drama: Dad-of-four Dennis Loughlin jumped into the water to save a man who was floating face-downwards.
Copyright 2010 Midland Independent Newspapers plc