A Silsden dad, branded a hero after saving the life of his baby son, is set to recall the drama in front of television cameras.

Sean McNulty, of Woodside Road, put his first aid training into action to revive his son Joshua, when the toddler landed in a water-filled ditch following a three car pile up.

His actions are to be featured on an episode of the popular BBC television series 999 Lifesavers, to be screened next Tuesday (September 8).

The nightmare unfolded back in May 1996 as the family, including wife Anne and sons Andrew and Daniel, were returning home from a holiday in Great Yarmouth. A head on collision caused their Ford Escort to somersault into a ditch at the side of the road.

Dazed Sean managed to smash his way out of the wrecked car, but realised Joshua, who was nine-months old at the time, was missing.

He waded into the ditch to find the child lying motionless and face down in the water.

Fearing the worst, he gave the youngster chest compression using the skills he had been taught as part of his job as trainer of Silsden's junior football team. With the help of passer-by Alex Hardy, who administered the kiss of life, Joshua started breathing again.

At the time of the accident Sean spoke from his hospital bed, saying: "He just started coughing and then cried and I knew he was alright."

Sean, 33, suffered a broken shoulder in the accident and collapsed unconscious following his life saving actions due to loss of blood from his injuries.

A reconstruction of the events will be shown on the television programme, presented by Michael Buerk and Donna Bernard.

Sean told the BBC: "It just looked like another jumper in the water and as I managed to wade closer, I realised it wasn't just another jumper, it was my child."

Sean believes that if he and Alex had not taken a first aid course in resuscitation his son would now be dead.

"His little hand twitched, I'll never forget that moment, never," he added.

Sean is well-known in local soccer circles as a goal keeper for Cross Hills. He also runs the under eight and under nine teams in his home town.

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