A mother from Northern Ireland has pleaded with parents to take care when near the water after her young son was almost taken by dangerous currants.
Sarah Moore, from Derry, took her son David to Culdaff beach in Co Donegal for the day on August 10 with temperatures reaching over 25C.
The Derry mum said she wanted to share her story so she could warn people of the dangers of outdoor swimming as she is terrified that another child will not be as lucky.
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Sarah explained how David, 6, and his friend were playing football on the beach when the ball got pulled out by water. Unaware of the dangers, David ran after it when things took a turn for the worst.
With water up to his waist, the youngster got dragged out by the rip current (riptide) before being pulled under the water. Sarah, petrified, raced out in his direction only for David to be nowhere in sight.
A man who was walking along the beach at the time had fortunately witnessed what had developed and decided to take matters into his own hands.
Sarah told MyDerry that while the man struggled to fight against the current at first, he eventually managed to rescue her child. She said she will be forever grateful for the 'superheroes' actions.
Taking to social media to share the story, Sarah said that she forgot to get the man's name, eventually connecting with him through social media.
She said: "On Wednesday I took the wains to Culdaff Beach. We were having a lovely day until wee David got caught in a rip tide and was dragged under.
"Despite my frantic efforts to get to him, I just couldn't. That feeling of not being able to get to your child when they are in danger is horrific."
She continued: "That's when a real-life superhero appeared. He was on the sand, handed his baby to my friend and did what I will be forever grateful for.
"When he got to David, the water pulled them both under. David was unresponsive for a short time, I'll never forget that terror. But thankfully this hero got him to the shore and everything was ok.
"I am 100% sure he saved David's life. Another few seconds and things would have been so different. He's a hero and an angel. He said he didn't want me to send him a gift of appreciation, and that David being OK was enough for him.
"As for my wee David, he's amazing. Back to his crazy wee self, hasn't affected him in the slightest. He even asked his daddy to take him to the swimming pool the next day which I was delighted about.
"He asked me the day after if he could have skittles for his breakfast and when I said no, his words were, "God sake ma, I nearly died." So Skittles for breakfast it was."
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