The mother of a man who was rescued from a Rickmansworth canal is "so grateful" after two members of the public pulled her son out of the water.

Paramedics from London Ambulance Service were called to Summerhouse Way, Harefield, at 7.23am and Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue arrived further along the canal, in Springwell Lane, Rickmansworth, minutes later.

William Mallison, 34, had to be rescued from the Grand Union Canal by two passers-by. 

Paul Orange, 42, climbed into the canal after seeing a man face down in the water and along with an unknown school boy, the pair managed to lift the man out of the water and put him in a recovery position.

Johanna Van Gorkom, William’s mother said: "We are so grateful. Paul must have had things to do but he did not think about any of these things, he just thought, there is someone in water, I need to get him out."

Ms Van Gorkom told the Watford Observer that Mr Mallison was expected to be released from hospital yesterday [Thursday] and he would spend some time at home recuperating. 

The 68-year-old also encouraged the unknown schoolboy to come forward so that she could give her thanks.

She said: "I would like to say to him, do not be embarrassed and thank you ever so much."