A MAN believed to have been living rough in Watchet for some months was found seriously injured just six feet from the water's edge facing an incoming tide at Helwell Bay last Saturday evening. The 38-year-old, thought to have been assaulted, would almost certainly have drowned but for the actions of two anglers on holiday. David Thompson and Anthony Green had arrived in the area earlier that day with their families for a week's break at the Helwell Bay holiday park. They were fishing on the beach shortly before 9pm when they saw the man and alerted the coastguards. Members of the local coastguard team responded and helped a policeman to carry the man to the bottom of nearby steps as the tide rolled in. He was suffering facial and head injuries and a broken ankle. Spokesman Nick Tapp told the Free Press that Minehead lifeboat was called in and a Sea King helicopter from RAF Chivenor scrambled. The lifeboat, under the command of helmsman Phil Sanderson, had to negotiate fading light and heavy seas to reach the bay and put a crewman ashore to help the other emergency services. "The presence of the lifeboat was very useful because it helped light things up," said Mr Tapp. Given the severity of the man's injuries and the difficulty in moving him, it was decided to airlift him to North Devon District Hospital for treatment. Police are appealing for anyone with information or who saw or heard anything which could help their enquiries to ring 0845 4567000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555000. Meanwhile, the actions of the fishermen won praise from both coastguards and lifeboat crew. Mr Tapp said: "If they hadn't seen him he would have drowned without doubt." And Mr Sanderson said: "When we arrived, the man was in a pretty bad way and needed immediate medical attention. "If it had not been for the prompt actions of the fishermen, the outcome would have been fatal."
