A DAD-OF-THREE who saved the life of a six-year-old boy while on holiday has returned to the resort for a free vacation. 

Charlie Uttley, a 33-year-old from Canvey, was at the Laguna Park in Tenerife last August when he came to the rescue of a youngster who had been pulled from the water.

The unnamed child was not breathing when he was rescue by a lifeguard.

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But Charlie heard the commotion as he was headed to his hotel room, and rushed over to perform CPR, saving the boy’s life.

As a thank you for his heroism, the dad is now on a free all-inclusive holiday at the resort with his family. 

Charlie said: “It is lovely to be back. But I didn’t really know how I would feel, and it didn’t really hit me until I went down to the pool.

“It felt good to be back but there were flashbacks at the same time.

“Looking back, it is still a wow feeling. Knowing his heart had stopped and the feeling of bringing him back to life is amazing.

“And knowing I saved his life too and his family still have him - I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to lose a child. Having three boys myself, it really hits home.”

Charlie learnt CPR for drowning victims through a first aid training course provided by his employer.

He added: “CPR is critical. It should be taught everywhere and most importantly in schools.

“It is so important to have this lifesaving skill - it could make all the difference.”

The free holiday is being enjoyed this week by Charlie with his wife Kerri, and their three boys, eight-year-old Teddy, Joey, aged four, and Alby, who is two, have since been given a free holiday by the Laguna Park which they are enjoying this week.

He said: “The hotel been amazing, giving my whole family a free stay for a week, all-inclusive.

“Family time is everything to me, and making more memories is special as time is precious, like we learn last year.

“We never know what is around the corner.”