Two heroic men helped to rescue a man who suffered a medical incident in the waters of Weymouth Beach.

It was only by chance that Olly Reynalds and David Perrett from Bedford were at the seaside when a man who is believed to be in his 80s began suffering a 'medical episode' in the water.

The duo were visiting Weymouth as they were set to host live food demonstrations at the Weymouth Food and Family Festival in Lodmoor Country Park.

They decided to arrive a day early and enjoy a morning coffee on the beach when they saw a man in need of assistance – rushing into action.

Mr Reynalds said: “We were two of the three people that dragged the man out of the water. We managed to clear his airways and got him to a point that paramedics could take over.

“Someone phoned an ambulance, and another woman ran off to get a defibrillator – she was training to be a paramedic.

“A medic told us we had set it up so that the man had a chance.

“Everyone was gawping, so someone got some bits from a local shop owner to help shield what was going on.”

The pair had plenty of praise for the ‘supportive’ shop owner.

Mr Reynalds added: “The shop owner was probably the most supportive that he could have been, he even refilled our coffee for us and brought out full fat cokes for everyone to help with the shock.”

Alice Higgins lead supervisor, said: “Lifeguards responded to the casualty as well as paramedics critical care doctors and police.

“We gave him the best possible care that we could with the equipment and skills that we have.

“He was taken away by an ambulance on blue lights.”

Following the rescue, the man was taken to hospital by ambulance. His condition was not known.

Police, paramedics and lifeguards were alerted to the incident and part of the beach on the town side of the Pier Bandstand was cordoned off. 

RNLI Beach Lifeguards quickly arrived and provided medical aid.

Another woman who was involved in the rescue was Louisa, from Hereford.

She said: “I was here setting up for a day on the beach.

“I saw the man go into the sea, I thought he was brave doing that because it was a bit cold.

“I turned around, and I saw a gentleman pull him out.

“I ran over and helped pull him out and put him in the recovery position. There was quite a few of us helping him.”