Duncan Bannatyne helps save boys from drowning in Barbados

Duncan Bannatyne has told how he and his wife ran to help two young brothers and their mother after they nearly drowned in the sea in Barbados.  

The Dragons’ Den star, 70, and wife Nigora, 39, rushed to help after British tourist Will Farrer, 26, saved one of the boys from the Sandy Lane beach coast on Boxing Day. 

The brothers were rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Bridgetown, by ambulance, and both are now recovering. Mr Bannatyne revealed that the boys’ mother nearly drowned trying to help them herself.  

Speaking to MailOnline, he said: ‘We saw the incident unfolding from about 20 yards away and as I’m trained in first aid we ran along the beach to offer assistance but when we got there it was mostly under control.

‘The young white man carrying the boy was apparently an off duty life guard and he probably saved the boy’s life. The older boy had been put in the recovery position by other tourists, one was a nurse. I saw both boys were breathing and giving oxygen.

‘An ambulance was called so we could not do much more. They were brothers. The mother almost drowned trying to help them.’ 

Mr Farrer was hailed a hero after helping to save the lives of the two local boys. He dragged the body of the younger brother to shore and administered CPR until paramedics arrived – and is set to be honoured for his heroics by the Barbados Government. 

Recounting the story, he said: ‘I heard some cries for help and at first I thought it was just some kids playing around, and then it got a bit more serious, and I saw a lady dragging one young lad out the water and he was saying ”help my brother” and there was just a dark patch under the water.  

Dragons’ Den star Duncan Bannatyne is pictured trying to help after two boys were pulled from the sea at  Sandy Lane beach

The Dragons' Den star, 70, and wife Nigora, 39, rushed to help after other tourists on the Sandy Lane beach pulled two boys from the ocean on Boxing Day

The Dragons’ Den star, 70, and wife Nigora, 39, rushed to help after other tourists on the Sandy Lane beach pulled two boys from the ocean on Boxing Day

Mr Bannatyne, 70, and his wife Nigora, 39, rushed to help after other tourists on the famous Sandy Lane beach pulled the boys from the ocean

Mr Bannatyne, 70, and his wife Nigora, 39, rushed to help after other tourists on the famous Sandy Lane beach pulled the boys from the ocean

Mr Bannatyne, 70, and his wife Nigora, 39, rushed to help after off-duty lifeguard Will Farrer, 26, pulled the boys from the ocean onto the famous Sandy Lane beach

Will Farrer, pictured, was hailed a hero after helping to save the lives of two local boys who nearly drowned off Sandy Lane beach on Barbados

Mr Bannatyne said the boys' mother, pictured, 'almost drowned trying to help them' on the Sandy Lane beach in Barbados

Will Farrer, pictured left, was hailed a hero after helping to save the lives of two local boys who nearly drowned off Sandy Lane beach on Barbados. Mr Bannatyne said the boys’ mother, pictured right, ‘almost drowned trying to help them’ on the Sandy Lane beach in Barbados

Mr Bannatyne, 70, and wife Nigora, 39, rushed to help after other tourists pulled two boys from the ocean

Mr Bannatyne, 70, and wife Nigora, 39, rushed to help after other tourists pulled two boys from the ocean

Mr Bannatyne is pictured at the scene before the boys were rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Bridgetown

Mr Bannatyne is pictured at the scene before the boys were rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Bridgetown

Duncan and Nigora, pictured at the dramatic scene in Barbados, married in Portugal in 2017 after a two-year courtship

Duncan and Nigora, pictured at the dramatic scene in Barbados, married in Portugal in 2017 after a two-year courtship

‘So I went out and it was his little brother. I pulled him out and he was unconscious, and he was vomiting and convulsing, and we got him up on to the beach and I just started CPR. I got through about three rounds of CPR and he regained consciousness, and started chucking up a load of water, and started breathing again. 

‘From that point, it was just dealing with shock, so we took him up the beach, and put him on his side. We delivered some oxygen and then the paramedics arrived after that.’  

A Government spokesman hailed Mr Farrer and those who helped as heroes. Other holidaymakers comforted a woman, believed to be the boys’ mother, while Mr Farrer administered first aid.

Did you witness the incident? 

Email henry.martin@mailonline.co.uk and tips@dailymail.com or call 020 361 53224

He said without his training, he’s not sure whether the boy would have survived. 

‘I think CPR and basic first aid is invaluable, really,’ he said. ‘I’m no expert, but it made the difference today.’ 

Earlier that day the Bannatynes were seen on an idyllic walk hand-in-hand along the beach, looking relaxed and care-free on their sunny Christmas getaway.

The pair then offered their aid as a crowd gathered when the two boys were dragged out of the sea on December 26.   

Duncan and Nigora married in 2017. It is the entrepreneur’s third marriage after previously tying the knot with Gail Brodie and Joanne McCue, in 1987 and 2006 respectively. 

Thrice-wed Duncan has four children with his first wife Gail and two with his second wife Joanna.

Uzbekistan-born Nigora is also a parent to daughter Gabrielle from a former relationship.

Duncan and Nigora married in Portugal, where the couple share a home, in 2017 after a two-year courtship. 

Duncan and Nigora, pictured on the beach, married in Portugal, where the couple share a home, in 2017 after a two-year courtship

Duncan and Nigora, pictured on the beach, married in Portugal, where the couple share a home, in 2017 after a two-year courtship

The boys were rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Bridgetown, by ambulance, and both are now recovering

The boys were rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Bridgetown, by ambulance, and both are now recovering

Duncan Bannatyne and his wife joined British holidaymakers who saved two locals from drowning at a beach in Barbados

Duncan Bannatyne and his wife joined British holidaymakers who saved two locals from drowning at a beach in Barbados

Duncan Bannatyne and his wife Nigora Bannatyne offering their help after two local boys were saved from drowning

Duncan Bannatyne and his wife Nigora Bannatyne offering their help after two local boys were saved from drowning

Pictured: One of the boys is dragged from the sea as other tourists call for help and a crowd begins to form around them

Pictured: One of the boys is dragged from the sea as other tourists call for help and a crowd begins to form around them

Duncan Bannatyne is seen offering his help as the crowd gathers around the boy, pulled from the sea by other tourists

Duncan Bannatyne is seen offering his help as the crowd gathers around the boy, pulled from the sea by other tourists

Mr Bannatyne and his wife had been on a romantic walk along the idyllic beach before two boys were pulled from the water

Mr Bannatyne and his wife had been on a romantic walk along the idyllic beach before two boys were pulled from the water

Mr Bannatyne and Nigora in the crowd gathered to help the boys at Sandy Lane Beach, located on Barbados' west coast in the parish of St James

Mr Bannatyne and Nigora in the crowd gathered to help the boys at Sandy Lane Beach, located on Barbados’ west coast in the parish of St James

Earlier that day Mr Bannatyne and Mrs Bannatyne were seen on an idyllic walk hand-in-hand along the Sandy Lane beach

Earlier that day Mr Bannatyne and Mrs Bannatyne were seen on an idyllic walk hand-in-hand along the Sandy Lane beach

The couple took a dip in the idyllic crystal clear waters on the west coast of Barbados before the dramatic incident unfolded

The couple took a dip in the idyllic crystal clear waters on the west coast of Barbados before the dramatic incident unfolded

Duncan Bannatyne, 70, and his wife Nigora, 39, hold hands during a romantic stroll on the beach before the incident

Duncan Bannatyne, 70, and his wife Nigora, 39, hold hands during a romantic stroll on the beach before the incident

Duncan Bannatyne, 70, and his wife Nigora, 39, hold hands during a romantic stroll on the beach before the incident

Talking to MailOnline at the time, he admitted he was thrilled with how the day went, as he gushed about his ‘perfect’ bride. 

Sandy Lane Beach is located on Barbados’ west coast, in the parish of St James.

According to Totally Barbados: ‘The sea here is exquisite and calm, you can just float, close your eyes and drift away, it is no wonder the rich and famous choose this as their spot to unwind.’ 

  • **Did you witness the incident? Email henry.martin@mailonline.co.uk and tips@dailymail.com or call 020 361 53224** 

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