A LIFEGUARD has been hailed a hero, after his quick reactions to imminent disaster could have saved the live of a Felixstowe toddler.The two-year-old was playing in the children's ball pool at the Leisure Centre in Undercliff Road West, when another child is believed to have jumped on him accidentally.

A LIFEGUARD has been hailed a hero, after his quick reactions to imminent disaster could have saved the live of a Felixstowe toddler.

The two-year-old was playing in the children's ball pool at the Leisure Centre in Undercliff Road West, when another child is believed to have jumped on him accidentally.

The toddler climbed out and ran over to his mother in distress- but then started turning blue and stopped breathing.

Leisure assistant Owen Hope saw what was going on and rushed over to give assistance.

During an agonising half-minute, Mr Hope of Valley Walk, Felixstowe, used all his first aid knowledge and managed to get the child – believed to be called Jack - to cry.

An ambulance was called and paramedics checked over the little boy but decided that he did not need to go to hospital.

Mr Hope said: "I checked him out immediately, and there seemed to be no obvious damage. The fact that he was crying was actually a good sign, as that meant there was no blockage to his airways.

"The ambulance arrived within two or three minutes, and the paramedics gave him a thorough once-over before concluding that he was fine. Their explanation for the fit was that it was a delayed reaction. It was obviously a scary situation but Jack, and his relieved mum, were fine afterwards," said Mr Hope.

The leisure assistant at Felixstowe Leisure Centre, has worked for Suffolk Coastal district council for four years and is a fully trained first aider and has gained his national lifeguard qualification.

Council spokesman Viv Hotten, said: "We believe the child had a delayed reaction to the accident. He passed out for about 30 seconds then came round and was fine."