Steve and Rose Clapp, with daughters, Sharon, Laura and DonnaGAZETTE & HERALD: THE best friend of Steve Gornall, who died after falling from a boat last Friday, told how he risked his own life in a vain battle to save him.

Steve Clapp, 46, of Brook Street, Chippenham, his wife Rose and their daughters Sharon, Donna and Laura, watched in horror, as Mr Gornall suffered an apparent seizure and fell from the back of their cruiser, the Jolly Roger, as it travelled along the Kennet and Avon canal near Newbury last Friday.

Despite being a poor swimmer, Mr Clapp dived into the canal and dragged his friend's head above water.

Desperately clutching the fender of his boat, but unable to grab a life ring thrown by his daughter, he struggled to get Mr Gornall to the bank, but was eventually helped to do so by a passing jogger.

Mr Gornall, from Langley Court in Chippenham, who would have been 51 this Tuesday, was airlifted to the Great Western Hospital in Swindon by the Wiltshire Air Ambulance, but doctors could not revive him.

The results of a post mortem are yet to be released.

Described by the Clapps as 'part of the family,' Mr Gornall had joined them last Monday for a 10-day trip along the canal. But on Thursday, the day before his death, he had spent the day in bed suffering from what he thought was a migraine.

"Steve complained of a bad head and stayed in bed most of the day," said Mrs Clapp, 44.

"He didn't even come out with us to eat that night, he just slept. But on Friday morning he said he felt much better."

Mr Clapp said what happened next came out of the blue.

"We were standing on the back of the boat chatting, then Steve gave a cough and seemed to have a kind of fit.

"Then he just pitched forward, off the boat and into the water. I can't swim very well but I just jumped in."

The men had been friends for 30 years, and Mr Gornall helped Mr Clapp renovate the Jolly Roger. The men also belonged to The Winkle Club at The Old Road Tavern in New Road, raising cash for local charities.

Mr Gornall's funeral is today at St Andrew's Church, Chippenham, followed by burial at the town cemetery.