A NINE-year-old Ipswich boy was praised by his family today after he helped save his younger brother from drowning in a freak accident.Quick-thinking Harvey Boreham was swimming with his four-year-old brother Max in a pool at his grandparents' Selkirk Road home when the younger boy became wedged underwater in the pool's ladder.

A NINE-year-old Ipswich boy was praised by his family today after he helped save his younger brother from drowning in a freak accident.

Quick-thinking Harvey Boreham was swimming with his four-year-old brother Max in a pool at his grandparents' Selkirk Road home when the younger boy became wedged underwater in the pool's ladder.

As Max struggled to free himself and battled for air, Harvey used all the strength in his young arms to heave the ladder, which still held his brother, out of the water, allowing the trapped boy to gasp for air.

Despite Harvey's efforts, Max remained jammed in the ladder and the pair fell back under the surface. The boy's mother Debbie and grandmother Dot Boreham rushed to the younger boy's aid and hauled him out of the 13-foot above ground pool just in time.

Today they praised Harvey, who they say idolises his younger brother, for stepping in before Max lost consciousness underwater.

His grandmother Dot, 58, who has 9 other grandchildren, said: "He saved his brother's life.

"As he pulled him up it was just enough for Max to get some air.

"Max wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for Harvey. We are so proud of him, if it had been another second it could have been a different story."

The boys' mum Debbie, 35, said: "If it wasn't for Harvey's quick actions I think there would have been a real danger Max would have needed to be resuscitated after that.

"When I pulled him over the side all the water he'd taken in came out of his mouth. His face had sort of blown up and his eyes were really big."

The boys, who are students at Sidegate Lane Primary School, had been swimming together in the pool at about 5.30pm on June 24 when the accident happened. Max had learned to swim without his inflatable arm bands for the first time only minutes before and he became stuck underwater when he tried to swim between two submerged rungs on the pool's ladder.

The boys' grandparents have now taken to removing the ladder while Harvey and Max are in the pool.

Today the family urged parents to be vigilant when their children swim and to be aware of the potential hazards in a swimming pool.

Debbie Boreham, who also has a pool at the family home in Humber Doucy Lane which the boys regularly swim in, said: "It happened within seconds.

"My warning to people is to be extra vigilant. We were only standing five or six feet away from the swimming pool but you can't chance it."

N Do you know someone who deserves special recognition? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk