Surfer saves woman swept into sea by giant wave

SURFER Dave Lee (pictured) has relived the drama of saving a woman who was swept into the sea by a giant wave at Paignton.

Dave, a hairstylist in Torquay, plucked the woman from the water at Preston Beach as the light was fading.

He said after his ordeal: "I was very tired after surfing. I had nothing left, but I managed to get her out of the water."

The woman, thought to be in her 30s, was seen to be engulfed by a giant wave and knocked into the sea just after 6.30pm on Tuesday.

Dave, 26, who works at the Trokadero salon in Sherwell Valley Road, Chelston, said: "I was just getting out of the water when I saw what looked like a large, blown-up bag being hit by a big wave.

"I then realised it was a woman in a trench coat who then disappeared under the water.

"I jumped in and grabbed her, dragging her back to the beach. I looked around to see if there was anyone who could help me but there was no-one there."

He added: "After I got her out she asked me my name and then mumbled something and collapsed.

"She was gone. I lay her in the recovery position while a man walking a dog rang for an ambulance."

Dave reckoned the waves were crashing at least 3ft over his head when he jumped in to rescue the woman on the section of beach near The Boathouse restaurant.

"She was only a few feet off the shore but it was still hard work getting her out," said Dave.

An ambulance spokesman confirmed one crew attended the incident after a 999 call was received at 6.46pm.

"The casualty was in her 30s. She was checked at the scene and taken back to her home address," said the spokesman.

Dave said: "I'm glad to hear she was OK."