Charity biker saves boys in river

David Harding and his family at the start of the cycle ride in Brecon

A cyclist on a charity ride risked his life to plunge into the River Taff to help save two young boys from drowning.

David Harding, 43, from Bassaleg near Newport, was cycling downstream of the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff when he heard a cry of distress.

The father-of-three jumped into the River Taff and saved the younger boy before shouting to a passing water taxi to help the older one.

Both boys, aged four and seven, survived and were taken to hospital.

Mr Harding was nearing the end of a 55-mile charity cycle ride from Brecon for the Ty Hafan children's hospice with a group of other cyclists, including his wife Sally.

He was at the back of the group as they cycled close to the River Taff near Cardiff city centre when he heard a child screaming.

"I stopped, turned round and went back expecting to see the child looking for a toy boat that was sailing down the river or something," he said.

"What I saw were two boys flapping around in the water and drowning."

The two-man crew of the water taxi helped rescue the two boys

Mr Harding jumped into the river, which was swollen from heavy rainfall.

"I swam to catch them up but by the time I got to them, one was completely submerged, unconscious, and the other was distressed and trying to breathe.

"They were 20ft from the bank, maybe more, maybe 25ft.

"I grabbed the younger of the two who was unconscious. He was limp, cold.

"The other child was sort of semi-conscious and had drifted further down so I couldn't reach him."

But help was at hand as Mr Harding shouted to a water taxi travelling upstream which pulled the child out of the water.

Mr Harding and the younger child, to whom he was giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation close to the river bank, were also rescued by the Cardiff Aquabus water taxi.

He said the two-man crew on the boat helped revive both boys while they made their way to a nearby jetty where a paramedic was waiting.

Putting yourself at risk is not to be recommended but in a life and death situation with children, we would say "well done" and thank him Welsh Ambulance Service

The older child's condition had now improved while the younger child was showing signs of improvement.

They were both taken by ambulance to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.

The hospital said it was unable to comment on their conditions due to confidentiality but the ambulance service said their conditions were not life threatening.

Mr Harding said he believed the two children were brothers.

"The mother ran up and gave me a big hug on the river bank, she was very grateful," he said.

It is not known how the children came to be in the water but Mr Harding said he believed the older child had jumped in to try to save the other.

After his rescue efforts, Mr Harding jumped back on his bike and finished the cycle course.

A spokesman for the ambulance service said: "Putting yourself at risk is not to be recommended but in a life and death situation with children, we would say 'well done' and thank him for the concern and care he took in helping save the lives of two children.

Very proud

"In any weather, rivers aren't the safest of places and with the onset of the weather, we would just implore children and people of all ages to steer clear of fast-flowing rivers and water."

Mr Harding, who works in waste management, said: "It was that instinct when you hear a cry, you react and I'm just so grateful I went back."

He added that the outcome could have been very different if it had not been for the efforts of the crew on the water taxi.

Director of Cardiff Aquabus Steve Woodward said he was very proud of the efforts of skipper Danny Rees and crew member Colin Brookes.

"We only go up and down the river once every hour, so they only had two chances," said Mr Woodward.

"It was very lucky circumstances that they were coming along the river and saw the cyclist jump in.

"I'm very proud of them with the way they co-ordinated the emergency services. It was a really good show of responsibility on the water."