A WINDOW cleaner risked his life to save a toddler from drowning in the sea.

Steve Turner, of Rinkfield, Kendal, plunged into the icy sea when he saw four-year-old Kingsley Green motionless in the water off the Fleetwood coast.

“The sea doesn’t take any prisoners. As soon as I saw him in there the adrenaline kicked in,” he said.

Kingsley had been playing with his sister Caitlin, nine, and brother Kai, three, on a slipway when he fell into the water just before 1pm.

His mother Sarah Green, 38, ran out to the shore to see her son floating face down 30 yards out.

“I ran out with my oldest son Bradley and saw Kingsley bobbing up and down,” she said. “I was in shock and screaming for someone to get him out. Bradley just kept shouting: ‘Kingsley’s dead, he’s dead’. It was absolutely horrifying.”

Fishermen working nearby threw a life ring out to the youngster but the receding tide pulled him further out to sea.

Mr Turner, 45, was taking part in a fishing competition on Rossall Promenade, near Thornton Cleveleys, when he heard shouting.

“I looked over and saw about 15 people in a crowd. I ran up and saw this tiny little thing bobbing up and down, motionless in the water,” he said.

“I’m a good swimmer and I was confident that I could reach him. I had done a bit of life saving before but never in the sea and it was a totally different situation.”

Stripping down to his pants and socks, the fisherman dived into the icy water and swam out to the boy who was, by then, unconscious.

“When I swam up to him, he was face down in the water and blue, and there was foam all around his mouth. It was horrible,” he said.

“I grabbed his collar and they pulled us back to shore with the rubber ring. I don’t remember much after that.”

Mr Turner and Kingsley were pulled to shore where a male nurse resuscitated the youngster before the ambulance arrived.

Kingsley regained consciousness and was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital by ambulance.

Mrs Green, from Fairway, in Fleetwood, said Kingsley is now recovering well at home.

“He is a very lucky little boy,” she said. “He’s got a few bruises but apart from that it’s like nothing has happened.

“I just want to thank Steve and the others so much. I owe him everything. They saved my boy’s life.”

Lancashire Police have nominated Mr Turner and others involved in the rescue for a bravery award.

“These men are to be commended for their actions,” said Insp Jim Edmonds, of Fleetwood Police.

“The fishermen who went into the water had to swim out about 30 yards to reach the youngster and he was in the water for almost five minutes himself. If he had not done so then it is quite likely that the boy could have died.”

“I am proud of myself,” said Mr Turner. To be honest I’ve always wanted to work for a life saving team and if the opportunity came up to help someone again I would do it in an instant.”

Steve Taylor, of Liverpool Coastguard, said: “This was a very brave rescue, however, our advice is to not attempt a rescue yourself.

"The sea is very dangerous and it is very easy for children to be swept away in a high tides. The best advice is to stand well back and be careful.”