A FATHER-of-two has been dubbed ‘miracle man’ as he embarks on a full recovery from falling in a Stourport canal where he lay prone for 30 minutes.

Steve Martin and his grateful family have given heartfelt thanks to the emergency services that saved his life following his ordeal earlier this month.

The 43-year-old, who is from Cornwall and was in the district for a conference, had been jogging along the canal by York Street at around 6.10pm on February 6 when he suffered a cardiac arrest before falling into the water.

Passers-by alerted the emergency services and fire crews used ropes to pull his body out. He had to be resuscitated at the scene and was then rushed to Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

His distraught wife Anna said they were told to expect the worst as he lay in the intensive care unit.

He remained in a critical condition for days but, just two weeks later, Mr Martin is talking and starting to walk again while it is believed he hasn’t suffered any lasting damage.

Mrs Martin said: “We are elated. Those hours driving up from Cornwall were the longest and most difficult. We had been told to expect the worst as they thought he was going to die.

“But he has come through against all odds. He was taken off ventilation and they’ve said there are no signs of any lasting effects such as brain damage.

“The consultant said he is a miracle. He had suffered a cardiac arrest and fell into the canal and was in the water for 34 minutes.

“Steve has said he is very grateful to everyone who helped and said, ‘thank you for saving my life’.

“The staff in intensive care have been fantastic and he is getting stronger every day.

“We cannot thank the passers-by who spotted him and alerted the emergency services, the firefighters who went above and beyond the call of duty to pull him out, the police, paramedics and all the hospital staff enough for what they have done.”

Mrs Martin added her husband is already talking about returning to work as a technical inspector at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. Before he can, he will be transferred to a local hospital to be closer to home as he continues his recovery.