two people save a man who fell in the port at the last minute

It is 1 a.m. at the port of La Roche-Bernard (Morbihan) this Sunday, January 12, 2025. Returning from a show, Cynthia and Bernard were preparing to take an access footbridge to the pontoon.

Cynthia tells the Echo of the Peninsula:

I heard a voice. I initially thought we were being disruptive because we were speaking loudly and I apologized. But I kept hearing that voice, and then the next moment, a splash. I realized someone had fallen into the water. I didn't want to go down the footbridge because it was too slippery with the ice. I called for help.

“He didn’t react”

For his part, Bernard located the sound.

It was coming from the ladder side of the boat. I managed to fall down the gangway because it was really slippery, and I got on this boat at the dock. The man was hanging there, but almost unconscious, he did not react. Fortunately, I managed to grab him by the collar, but I didn't have enough strength to pull him out of the water. I had to hold it for a quarter of an hour, twenty minutes. Then 2 other people arrived.

Saved at the last minute

Cynthia meanwhile was in communication with emergency services.

“They wanted to take the footbridge, they slipped. The gendarmes also slipped, one even fell from his full height, fortunately without injury. It must be said that with the release of water into the Vilaine, the footbridge is at an inclination of 40 degrees and it was really slippery. Moreover, the emergency services were unable to bring him up there; they moved him by boat. The man had no papers on him when they took off his clothes and took him to the hospital,” adds Bernard.

He finds his saviors

The survivor's name is Stewann, he is 43 years old and originally from Guérande. This father of 4 children has a boat in the port. Leaving the hospital, he asked the police for Bernard's contact details to thank the two people who saved his life. The fall came close to being fatal. His temperature had dropped to 34°. At 32°, he fell asleep and wouldn't have been able to get out.

Monday January 13, 2025, Stewann was able to meet his rescuers at the port, very moved. He said: “I slipped there, and when I fell, I hit my head. I must have been knocked out because I don’t remember afterwards.” After this big scare, he is doing well, grateful to Bernard and Cynthia.

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