A kayaker saved the lives of a couple when they were trapped in a sunken car that had plunged into a bay.
Justin Biggs was kayaking in Cardiff Bay on May 19, 2024, when he saw the car, which was submerged after falling into the water just minutes before.
The former lifeguard, who now runs a cleaning company, immediately tried his best to open the doors and reach the couple inside.
The 36-year-old performed life-saving CPR while floating in the water.
‘I paddled over to have a look because it was something a bit unusual. When I got closer I realised it was a car,’ he said.
‘There were people leaning on the barriers having a look so I asked them when it happened and they said it was a few minutes ago.
‘I was knee-deep in mud and chest-deep in water. The car was stuck in mud as well.’
The couple had parked in Cardiff Bay to admire the waterside when they hit the accelerator instead of the brake, causing their car to drive into the water.
Mr Biggs said: ‘I couldn’t see anyone, the water was too deep, but I could see his head floating so I poked it and there was no response.’
He managed to pull out the woman, who was covered in blood screaming: ‘My husband, my husband.’
While holding on to her, Mr Biggs managed to pull the unconscious man out as well.
‘There was no way to get out because we were looking at a 400m walk through the mud at the nearest place to get out,’ he said.
‘I then started doing a bit of CPR on him, as much as I could whilst we were floating. It was quite difficult.’
After several rounds of chest compressions and instructing the wife to carry out rescue breaths, the husband opened his eyes.
‘By about the third round of rescue breaths he opened his eyes. It was a fantastic feeling that. I was looking at him thinking: “Oh my God.” I didn’t expect him to come back,’ said Mr Biggs.
Owing to his heroic act, Mr Biggs has been listed as a finalist for the St David’s Bravery Award.
The winner will be announced at a ceremony at the Senedd on March 27.
Once he had resuscitated the man, two people on boats from Cardiff Bay Yacht Club then helped the group to shore where the emergency services were waiting.
Mr Biggs, who lives in Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, later found his kayak and paddle washed up on the stones.
Mr Biggs used to lifeguard on Bondi beach in for five years.
He said: ‘I’m very comfortable in the water. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.
‘It was funny because I don’t usually go where they were. I usually cut that corner.
‘I went further than I planned because it was such a nice day so I thought I’d keep paddling.
‘It was all timing. I could have stopped five minutes earlier and never got there. I’m lucky it all came out so well.’
Mr Biggs swam the Bristol Channel last year and is doing it again this year to raise money for the Vision 21 – a charity that supports people aged 14 and over with learning disabilities.