Hotel guests David and Olive Cogger, with (left) head waiter Manuel de Nobrega and second chef Marian Birt, who saved Mr Cogger from drowning in the pool

HEROIC hotel staff who saved a drowning holidaymaker from the bottom of a swimming pool are being commended for their bravery tomorrow.

A ceremony is being held at the Highlands Hotel for head waiter Manuel de Nobrega and second chef Marian Birt, who have been commended by St John Ambulance for saving the life of tourist David Cogger on 22 June.

Mr Birt pulled the unconscious 71-year-old from the bottom of the pool and Mr Nobrega used the lifesaving skills he had gained from a St John Ambulance course to perform CPR on him.

‘This is what first aid training is all about,’ said St John Ambulance bailiwick director Nigel Truscott.

‘There is nothing so rewarding as saving a life and both Mr de Nobrega and Mr Birt should be proud of their achievement, which has now been recognised by St John Ambulance Headquarters with the issue of a certificate of commendation to Mr de Nobrega and a letter of appreciation to Mr Birt.

‘I will be presenting the documents to the gentlemen at the Highlands Hotel at 2.30 pm on Saturday, and I believe the hotel are treating the occasion as a very special event for their employees.’

After the accident in June, Mr Cogger made a full recovery and was able to finish his holiday and fly home. At the time, he was full of praise for his rescuers.

‘I want to thank them for saving my life,’ Mr Cogger said. ‘It was a shock to wake up in the hospital, but it was probably worse for my wife, Olive. The first thing the doctor said to me was that I had had a lucky escape.’

Hotel guests David and Olive Cogger, with (left) head waiter Manuel de Nobrega and second chef Marian Birt, who saved Mr Cogger from drowning in the pool