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http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/viewarticle2.aspx?ArticleID=471229&SectionID=545
Bless you, whoever you are!
Smash driver seeks out hero after river plunge
A drowning driver pulled from the river in Bedford in a dramatic late-night rescue has admitted: "I'm lucky to be alive".
Suneil Jassal, of Bedford, was dragged clear of his sinking sports car by a courageous Good Samaritan after plunging into the Ouse.
Now the 22-year-old, from the London Road area, has appealed for his heroic helper to come forward so he can say a proper thank you.
Mr Jassal said: "He is a lovely bloke and what he did took a lot of courage. I can swim, but I was wearing heavy clothing and without him no way would I be here."
Mr Jassal spoke as crowds gathered near the Swan Hotel to watch his stricken car lifted from the water.
He said he had been heading along the Embankment at around 11.30pm on Friday when he lost control of his high-powered Honda NSX.
Swerving to avoid an oncoming car, his vehicle struck the kerb, crashed backwards through the stone balustrade and plunged into the river.
Mr Jassal said the yellow sports car, which he described as 'the Japanese Ferrari', floated for a few seconds and then began to go down.
He managed to get free of the cockpit but was struggling in the cold waters when his mystery rescuer leapt in to pull him to safety.
Miraculously Mr Jassal was able to walk away without injury and did not even need hospital treatment.
He said: "I want to meet the guy and thank him. I feel like I have been given a second chance and now appreciate life a bit more after death flashed before my eyes."
25 April 2003