THREE children saved a man from drowning in a pond after adult passers-by ignored him for half an hour on Thursday.
Nicole Brisland, Jordan Hunt Sinclair (pictured front) and Kelly Marie Saunders (not pictured) were near the large pond in Newlands Road in Luton at about 6pm when they heard a man shouting for help.
Andy Lydiatt, 57, was chest-deep in the pond, being steadfastly ignored by other people nearby.
Cardinal Newman student Nicole, 12, said: “We heard someone shouting help so we went to go and see what it was. There was a man in the middle of the pond and he said he was stuck. We found someone nearby and asked them to help us. He got some other people and they managed to pull him out.
“Andy was shaking with cold and said he was so grateful to us as he couldn’t have lasted much longer.”
Hillborough Junior School pupil Jordan, 11, said he didn’t think twice about helping the man.
Mr Lydiatt said he had been fishing when he slipped on mud and dead tree branches round the water, causing him to fall in.
The Chiltern Rise resident said: “I was shouting for help, waving my arms around, but no one came. One runner saw me and then ran off again without doing anything. Then these three kids came along and asked if I was alright. They ran to get help then sat and waited with me while another man rounded up a group to pull me out – in fact he brought back one of the runners who had ignored me in the first place.
“I was getting cold and shaking but the kids were talking to me and we had a bit of a giggle. After I’d been pulled out they went home but they came back again with a towel for me.”
Mr Lydiatt said he was so grateful he went straight to the bank to withdraw some money then took it to the children’s houses.
The B&Q worker said: “I was just so relieved they’d rescued me, that’s why I went round. They didn’t want to take the money but I insisted. If I had more I would have given them more. I told their parents they should be really proud of their children, if it hadn’t been for them I might still be there now. They have my deepest thanks.”
Nicole’s mum Angela Doherty who lives in Homestead Way said: “I couldn’t believe so many people walked past without helping. People say kids are always up to no good but they were the only ones who helped this man in trouble and probably saved his life. I am so proud of them.”
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