Chris Peters of Ard Grange and Shane McClure of the Glen Road, who were passing by, went to the aid of the man, who was in his forties.

The drama unfolded as Chris was walking along the embankment close to the jetty at the City Council offices.

"I saw a man's head bob up and down in the water so I ran and grabbed a life ring. I realised though that he was too far out to reach with the life preserver, so I ran down the quay and tried to get onto the jetty."
It was at this point the HML employee met Shane McClure.

"Well I didn't think we could get onto the jetty so I ran to the Toucan One for help but no one was on board," said Shane.

Meanwhile 32 year-old Chris had scaled the gate to the jetty, ripping his leg and suit as he did so.

"When I ran down I feared the worst as I couldn't see the man in the water any longer. It was only for the fact other people watching began shouting that he was actually under me."

Chris then grabbed the man just as he was going under.

"I was scared that I wouldn't be able to haul him out of the water and just then Shane appeared."

Shane admitted he believed he "was about to pull a corpse from the water. Being honest I thought he was already dead, it was only when we dragged him out and he muttered 'I'm sorry,' I realised we made it on time."

Chris added: "I don't know the man and I only saw him for a short time while we gave him first aid and waited for the police to open the jetty gate but I would like to wish him well."

The man was taken to Altnagelvin Hospital as a precaution but later released.