IPSWICH: A man who was saved from drowning after plunging into a river today issued a heartfelt plea to find the “amazing” hero who rescued him.

Stephen Bean was pulled from the River Gipping by a mysterious hero after becoming submerged in the stretch of water between Riverside Road and the Hadleigh Road industrial estate on the opposite bank.

The 45-year-old was spotted in the water by passers-by shortly after 6.15pm when a man who was walking along the river’s edge with a woman dived in to save him from the icy depths.

He stayed with Mr Bean – who had been walking near the river with his son and his son’s girlfriend – until paramedics arrived, but then beat a hasty retreat before the victim could say thank you.

Mr Bean, who lives in nearby Riverside Road, was taken to Ipswich Hospital for checks, although he did not suffer any injuries in the incident.

He spoke exclusively to The Evening Star from the Heath Road hospital late last night to appeal for help in finding his brave rescuer.

“I want to thank the man who pulled me to the edge and got me out,” he said.

“There are no words to describe a hero like that – for him to risk his life to save me is amazing.

“If there’s anything I can do to repay that, I will.

“I would also like to thank the paramedics and fire brigade for turning up, and thanks to my family for being by my side.”

It is unclear how Mr Bean came to end up in the river.

His ordeal comes nearly 18 months after The Evening Star paid tribute to brave father-of-three Steven Crofts, who dived into the River Orwell to try to save the life of 46-year-old Sandra Warne.

The 33-year-old spotted her body floating face down in the water near Stoke Bridge on March 30 last year and tried to wade in to recover her from the water, but was stopped by police when he was knee-deep in the water as they said he was endangering his own life.

Sadly, she passed away.

n Are you the hero who saved Mr Bean from the water? Did you see the incident? Call the newsdesk on 01473 324788 or e-mail starnews@eveningstar.co.uk.