Firefighters saved a young man's life in a daring midnight rescue which saw one officer dive into chilly waters.

During one of the busiest nights ever, crews from Colchester fire station were kept busy helping people caught up in torrential floods across mid and north Essex.

For more information on the floods, see stories starting 'Floods: ...' in the drop-down menu at the bottom of this article

More flooding information on the Environment Agency website at http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk But a chance call-out to a village post office saved the life of a man who had fallen into a river and was rapidly losing his strength to hold on due to the onset of hypothermia. It is thought he had got in to difficulties while trying to help someone else.

At about 12.30am today (Monday), a crew went to Chappel post office after receiving a call they were suffering severe flooding from the nearby River Colne.

But after being unable to help, the firefighters, who were about to leave to return to base, heard the cries of the man coming from the river.

Leading firefighter Justin Lockerbie said the 27-year-old was clinging to the bridge in the river between the post office and the Swan Pub sections of the river. Crew member Kevin Lay volunteered to go in.

"We put a light on him and Kevin went into the water. But then the man could not hold on any longer and let go of the bridge and started to be swept away. But Kevin managed to get him out."

"I would say it was a very brave thing to do, to go in and get him like that. The water was absolutely freezing and the other man already had the beginnings of hypothermia," added Mr Lockerbie.

The man was taken to Colchester General Hospital, where he is being treated for hypothermia.

"He is a very lucky man indeed. It was sheer coincidence we were there and that we heard him when we did. I have no doubt he would have died otherwise," said Mr Lockerbie.

Do you know the man in the river or were you hit by the floods? Call the Evening Gazette newsdesk on 01206 508429.

Chappel - completely flooded

By Lauren Spurgeon

Reporter's e-mail: lauren_spurgeon@thisisessex.co.uk

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