The dangers of pier jumping have been highlighted after a 10-year-old boy got into difficulties while playing in Douglas bay.

Elliot Bergquist had jumped off a jetty by the Sea Terminal when he was struck by big waves as the Manannan came in.

Struggling to swim against the current that was dragging him further out into the bay, he was rescued by onlookers who heard his cries for help.

A mother with her two daughters grabbed a lifebelt for him and then rang for the ambulance, while two men pulled him in.

Anagh Coar School pupil Elliot said from his home in Douglas Head Road: ’I jumped off a big wall, me and my friend did. I let him go first.

’It was high tide. When I was swimming back this big massive wave came and hit me. I went under the water and when I came back up I tried to swim forwards but loads of waves came and pushed me back out.

’They came and came and I was pushed back and back.’

Elliot, whose friend had already got out of the water, said he was scared at first but then managed to calm down.

He said: ’I was shouting for help and someone ran and got a lifebelt and threw it in the water. They didn’t get it on the first try but they did on the second.

’I went to swim for it but then it just floated to me so I just got it and then they pulled me in. Two men helped me climb back up.’

Paramedics arrived and checked him over but Elliot was unhurt following the incident last Friday afternoon, except for some scratches from climbing back on the jetty.

Mother Hannah Grove said: ’I was getting out of my car parked in the Bottleneck and heard shouts of help.

’I saw the life ring and grabbed it out of instinct then ran towards the shouts. I passed the ring to a man because I had both my daughters with me. I then phoned an ambulance while they pulled him in.’

Mum Bev Kirlew said she wanted to thank personally everyone who had come to her son’s aid.

She said: ’If it wasn’t for them I hate to think what could have happened.

’I’m still living with the worry. I only spoke to Elliot two days before about exactly the same scenario. It’s always on the news about not jumping into the sea off the promenade. This shows things do happen.’