By Mike Lockley From Coventry Telegraph

Colin Davies tells how golfing champ, Lee Westwood, rescued him from Atlantic Ocean during his trip to Barbados

A Solihull pensioner has told how his life has been saved on the paradise island of Barbados – by golfing great Lee Westwood.

Colin Davies said the sporting star raced into the Atlantic Ocean when he spotted him flailing for help.

Speaking from the Caribbean island Colin, who suffers from Parkinson’s Disease, said: “If there is a power looking over us, I hope he takes note and delivers three Majors to this kind and gentle human being.”

And Colin is now searching the white powder beaches for Nottinghamshire-born Westwood to personally thank the golfer.

Colin, who is holidaying with wife Linda, got into trouble shortly after entering the water on Friday.

He said that Linda was too far away to hear his screams, but a family on the sand saw the drama and raised the alarm.

Westwood, who now lives in Palm Beach, Florida, was first to race into the water and rescue the drowning holidaymaker.

Colin, a former Staffordshire miner turned millionaire, said from his luxury hotel: “I have Parkinson’s disease so to enter the sea was foolhardy or stupid.

“As soon as I entered I realised I was in trouble. My legs wouldn’t move, and my wife Linda was out of earshot.

“By the panic that affects a man when faced with the end of his days I found enough strength to try to reach the beach, I became frightened and called out for help.

“The family next to us on the beach heard my cry and within a second a muscular male grabbed me and, with tremendous but gentle care, got me back to my lounge bed.

“I was so shocked by the whole affair that I didn’t convey my heartfelt thanks to the Samaritan who had rescued me.

“My wife returned to our part of the beach, packed up the stuff and headed for the room. A man some way from the incident asked me if I knew the man who had helped me? Still in a mild shock, I replied no.

“The beach Samaritan was Lee Westwood.”

The incident is yet another dramatic chapter in the rags-to-riches tale of Colin who rose from the pit shafts of Lea Hall Colliery, Rugeley, to owning homes in leafy Warwickshire and Vegas.

His first job was driving pit ponies before the National Coal Board sponsored his university studies. He started his own business retailing, then printing, business cards.

Software created by Colin was bought by an American firm for a seven figure sum. He retired in 2004 following a management buy-out.

He was diagnoses with Parkinson’s in the same year.

The “local lad done good” has been a guest lecturer at Aston University and has dined with Margaret Thatcher at Number 10.

On his online profile, the Aston Villa fan admitted: “It would take 200,000 words to tell my story in full.”

Westwood, aged 41, was unavailable for immediate comment, but has posted pictures of his Barbados break.

The former world number one is regarded as one of the best players never to win a major golf championship.

The father-of-two has made eight Ryder Cup appearances and was named player of the year in 1998, 2000 and 2009.

IMAGES:
Golfer Lee Westwood, inset Solihull millionaire Colin DaviesGolfer Lee Westwood, inset Solihull millionaire Colin Davies
Holiday snaps posted on Lee Westwood’s Instagram
Colin Davies, from Solihull, with Margaret Thatcher Colin Davies, from Solihull, with Margaret Thatcher

For more on this story go to: http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-news/lee-westwood-saved-drowning-caribbean-8486490