Man who spent more than two hours trapped in rivers has praised police officers who came to his aid.
Michael Dabbs, 63, was stuck in the river at Grays for more than two hours, and came close to freezing to death.
He was rescued by police officers who came to his aid after his dog drew a member of the public to the scene.
Springer spaniel Smudge attracted the first rescuer, local resident Tony Paxton who was walking across a bridge over the river.
He became suspicious at the dog's behaviour, then dialed 999 after he heard calls for help while investigating.
Mr Paxton was crossing the bridge when a dog ran in front of him. He said: "I made a fuss of him because he seemed distressed. Because he had a lead on I was fearful that its owner might be in trouble. Then I heard Mr Dabbs's weak calls from help.
"He was lucky. This road is normally quiet and on that cold and dark Friday evening no one else was about."
Pcs Karen Pownall and Martin Swain quickly found Mr Dabbs about 20 yards away.
He had fallen into the river while trying to rescue his other spaniel Ben.
Pc Pownall was the first officer to arrive. She said: "I searched along the river and found Mr Dabbs at the bottom of an 8ft high sloping bank.
"Pc Swain arrived soon afterwards and managed to get down the slope to grab Mr Dabbs who was holding on to Ben.
"Martin kept slipping so I grabbed hold of him.
"We both started losing our footing but luckily did not go into the water.
"All three of us were being stung by nettles. Then Martin and I counted to three, pulled as hard as we could and hauled Mr Dabbs and Ben to safety."
Pc Swain added: "Mr Dabbs was suffering from hypothermia so we put him in one of our coats and wrapped him in the survival foil we carry.
"But when the paramedic checked his temperature it was critically low at 28C and life-threatening. Normal temperature is 37C.
"We were relieved to hear later that he quickly recovered."
After Pcs Pownall and Swain had rescued Mr Dabbs and Ben a paramedic warned that Mr Dabb's body temperature was critically low and he was rushed to Basildon Hospital.
The drama unfolded at Churchill Road, Grays on Friday evening and on Monday Mr Dabbs, who made a full recovery, met three of his rescuers back at the scene.
East of England Ambulance Service spokesman Gary Sanderson said: "Both officers' quick-thinking and rapid intervention has no doubt saved this man's life. Well done to both of them."
Mr Dabbs, who spent about six hours in hospital, said: "The trouble started when Ben fell the river and couldn't get out.
"I went after him and found I couldn't get out. I didn't realise at the time just how serious it was.
"I am extremely grateful to everyone involved and reckon the police officers did a really good job. Smudge did a good job too.
"He could have run off but Springers are clever dogs."
Pc Pownall added: "Martin and I are delighted that Mr Dabbs is OK.
"In this job you help people every day but it was even more satisfying to save someone's life.
"And as for Smudge – he must have sat at the bridge waiting for someone to come along.
"He's my little hero!"
