A HEARTBROKEN Aberystwyth man has told how he almost drowned as he tried in vain to save his best friend’s life following a fishing boat accident.

Speaking exclusively to the Cambrian News this week, devastated Alan Jones, 42, told how tragedy struck when he was out at sea fishing with his former best man and father-of-five, William Davies, 64, known as Bill.

He said Mr Davies had been suffering with seasickness and the decision was made to head back into the harbour.

Mr Jones said he had removed the kill cord — designed to cut power to the engine if the operator falls out of the boat — to better navigate his way into the harbour, and that “out of nowhere” the boat was hit from the side by a wave, throwing both men into the sea and leaving the boat circling dangerously.

While trying to reassure Mr Davies, who was not a strong swimmer and suffered with asthma, Mr Jones said the boat had turned and was headed straight for them.

“I screamed at him that the boat was behind him, but it was already on top of him,” said Mr Jones who almost drowned trying to rescue his friend. “No words can describe it. I was helpless, absolutely helpless. Just at the mercy of the sea,” he added.

Mr Jones paid tribute to his friend saying: “I’m in pieces, I can’t function. I just keep thinking what if I’d done this, what if I’d done that. He was like a dad to me and nothing will ever be the same without him.”

Mr Davies’ wife Debbie told the Cambrian News: ”Bill was a loveable rogue and a real joker, but more than that, he was my soulmate, my life. Now he’s gone, nothing is the same.”

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