The Falmouth father who risked his own life to try and save a pensioner whose car had rolled into the icy waters of the River Fal, has played down his heroic actions.

For the coverage of the King Harry Ferry slipway tragedy click here

Tragedy at King Harry Ferry: RNLI detail actions to rescue woman

“I was there, I had a wetsuit on and as a fellow human being I did what I could to help,” said Matt Vernon. Sadly, despite all efforts, 74-year-old Ann Pewter, of Tavistock, and her two dogs did not survive.

“At the time, I was just thinking that she was not dead or that if she was unconscious we were going to revive her,” said Matt. “That’s the one thought that kept me going.”

The tragedy unfolded on Thursday afternoon after the car in which Mrs Pewter was a passenger, rolled into the water from the King Harry slipway on the Roseland side of the Fal.

Matt, a mussel diver from Budock Water who readily admits he was scared of water until about 20 and still gets “goosebumps” when in the sea, had been returning from a day’s work in his rowing boat when he saw the commotion and went to investigate. One of the first on the scene to help was Garrick Royle, King Harry Ferries’ operations manager, who tried but failed to attach a grappling hook to the car.

“He saw me rowing in the distance,” said Matt. “At first I thought there was some sort of training mission going on, but Garrick came over and told me what had happened. He threw me a line so he could tow me back towards shore. While he was towing me, I put my gloves and weight belt on and got my mask, snorkel and fins ready and then just jumped straight in.

“It took me a couple of dives to find the car. It was quite murky and it must have been down about 25 feet. The first time I found it, I managed to grab onto the roof rack and have a quick look around.

“Part of the problem for me by now was that adrenalin was coursing through my veins, putting my heart rate up and so I was using more oxygen. I was burning through breathfuls of air so quickly. I stayed down for what felt like ten to 15 seconds at a time, maybe a bit longer.

“I tried every door of the car, unbeknownst to me it was full of water. On possibly the sixth or seventh attempt I found the front passenger window was open. I put my head, shoulders and arms through the window to try and see if I could see the occupant. At one point I thought I saw her in the back seat, but it turned out it was one of the dogs. It was really spooky and eerie.

“I was just thinking that I had to get in and pull her out, but then a bit of logic kicked in and told me to be a bit careful. I have a baby girl and did not want to find myself trapped in the car and not being able to get out. I took risks, but I didn’t take unnecessary risks.”

Matt had been in the water for about 45 minutes when commercial divers took over and he was able to head to shore for a hot shower. “By then I couldn’t feel my hands, feet and head, I was frozen through,” he said. “I just felt I had to push myself and keep going.”

Matt, who runs the Cornish Mussel Shack, is married to Jade and they have a 14-month-old daughter, Saffron. Jade, 27, watched the tragedy unfold on the King Harry webcam after learning Matt was involved.

“I was not surprised because I know what he is like,” she said. “He would do anything for anyone, he is a very kind and generous person. I am very proud of him.”

Matt has been deeply affected by Mrs Pewter’s death, but has taken strength from the many messages he has since received. “I have been overwhelmed by the response I have had both on Twitter any my facebook page,” he said.