A WINDERMERE businessman said he cried "tears of joy" on learning his 61-year-old friend was alive after the helicopter he had been flying plunged into a wintry-cold lake.

Tim Knowles, who was waiting for pilot Bill Scarrett to collect him from his lakeside home, learned about the accident from a neighbour, who had heard a bang before the chopper "disappeared" into Windermere.

"We found out 45 minutes later that Bill had swum fully-clothed from where he crashed to a house on the shore," said Mr Knowles, of Storrs Park, Windermere.

"We went to see him and he was in massive shock - it is absolutely amazing he was alive.

He just said if it wasn't for his military training he would be dead."

Recalling his initial fears for Mr Scarrett's safety, the managing director of Chorley-based Botany Bay said: "I was devastated, because the water is below zero.

Then I was crying with joy when I knew he was alive.

It is a miracle.

When I spoke to him he was just apologising about the helicopter.

I just kissed him on his forehead and hugged him."

Mr Knowles added: "He is like a father to me.

He flies with me 400 hours a year - about three to four times a week, which is an enormous amount of time.

To crash in a lake that is so deep and so cold, you just think the worst.

If anyone else had been involved, they would be dead.

You have to have a phenomenal amount of experience to deal with that situation."