Pier Drama

SUPERBRAVE nighctlub doorman Steve Palmer dived off Worthing pier to rescue a drowning teenager on Saturday night.

Steve, 32, of Durrington, was hailed a hero by fellow staff and clubbers at the pier nightclub Rutherfords after he stripped to his underwear and jumped into the freezing water, at 11.30pm, to save the 18-year-old man.

The young man, who according to eye witnesses had been drinking, was seen jumping off the pier into some of the highest tides of the year.

Steve, a van driver by trade, said: I was working in the club when a call came over the radio to say there was a man in the water.

We think he was on his way home when he decided to jump in.

I ran outside and I saw him in the water, about 50 metres from the pier.

He was trying to swim but he couldn t, as the strong tide was pulling him out.

Everything was just happening so quickly. The doormen were trying to throw him a lifebuoy, but he was already too far out.

I ran down to the lower decking and just knew I had to jump in and save him.

I d never done something like that before. The conditions were terrible. The water was really strong, rough and cold and I have never been so scared in all my life.

I am a strong swimmer and have done lifesaving courses but the water was so overpowering.

I was terrified but I just couldn t let him drown.

After being in the water for approximately 20 minutes and drifting half a mile towards The Lido, Steve, a doorman for four years, finally got hold of the teenager and pulled him to the shore.

Read about Steve's heroic act in the Herald, August 23.