A British fisherman who suffered cardiac arrest after a 14cm Dover sole fish jumped down his throat as he tried to kiss it has thanked the friends and paramedics who saved his life.
Sam Quilliam, 28, caught the fish off a pier in Bournemouth, southern England, and decided to kiss his catch.
However, the fish wriggled out of his hands and jumped down his throat, stopping his breathing and causing cardiac arrest.
Friends Steve Perry and Matt Holmes attempted to resuscitate Mr Quilliam before paramedics were able to pull the fish from his throat.
Mr Quilliam said he was grateful to the paramedics from the South Western Ambulance Service who acted quickly to save his life.
"I picked it (the fish) up and went to give it a kiss before I threw it back," Mr Quilliam told The Guardian.
"I squeezed it and like a bar of soap it jumped out of my hand and into my mouth. It got out of my hands and into my mouth and basically swam straight down my throat.
"I ran round the pier like a headless chicken and then passed out. It was terrifying from what I remember.
"Steve and Matt and the paramedics did a great job to save my life. I could have easily died and I feel very lucky to be here.
"I feel much better now. It's like beyond winning the lottery. Me and my family are really grateful."
Paramedic Matt Harrison told the BBC: "It was clear that we needed to get the fish out or this patient was not going to survive the short journey to Royal Bournemouth Hospital.
A sunny day at Boscombe Pier near Bournemouth in sourthern England. Source: Gerry Images
"I was acutely aware that I only had one attempt at getting this right as if I lost grip or a piece broke off and it slid further out of sight then there was nothing more that we could have done to retrieve the obstruction."
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