'I don't see myself as a hero': Wellingborough dad saves life of drowning man

A Wellingborough dad has played down his actions after saving the life of a man who was face down in the town's Embankment.
The area of the Embankment where the man fell into the water and inset, hero David Wood.The area of the Embankment where the man fell into the water and inset, hero David Wood.
The area of the Embankment where the man fell into the water and inset, hero David Wood.

David Wood, 39, was feeding the ducks with his two-year-old daughter at about 4.30pm on Saturday (August 13) when a man in his fifties fell off his boat into the water.

He ran 50 metres before diving into the water and dragging him to safety.

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But modest Mr Wood says he doesn’t seem himself as a hero, and that instinct ‘just took over’.

He said: “I was feeding the ducks with my daughter and girlfriend when I saw the man fall in.

“He was sitting on the edge of his boat and fell backwards, he pretty much did a somersault and banged his head.

“It must have knocked him out because he was face down in the water floating.

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“I ran and took my shoes off and jumped in. It’s funny, I don’t see myself as a hero. Instinct just took over.”

After reaching the man, Mr Wood put him in the recovering position before shouting for help.

He then called the man’s brother to let him know what was going on, but heaped praise on two others for their help.

He added: “My girlfriend’s brother Dionne West and another man who I don’t know played a big part.

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“There were a lot of people who stood there watching. It didn’t even cross my mind not to jump in.”

Mr Wood, a groundworker in the town, has received high praise on social media for his actions.

One said: “Well done David Wood a true gent.”

Another said: “Well done Woody, what a good guy with a heart of gold you are xx.”

The condition of the man who fell into the water is currently unknown.

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