Newlywed rescues drowning bridesmaid at wedding

A woman today told how she rescued her eight-year-old bridesmaid after a boat carrying members of her wedding party overturned in 15ft waves off the coast of Mauritius.

Rebecca Hudson-Gray, 31, of Shotley, Suffolk, was on honeymoon in on the island eight days ago with her husband Alan Hudson, 36, and a number of relatives and friends.

Mrs Hudson-Gray, a student loans administrator with Suffolk County Council, said members of the party had gone out in speedboats to watch dolphins while holidaying following the wedding.

A huge wave capsized her boat and she grabbed bridesmaid Georgia Whayman, also from Shotley, and held on for 10 minutes before scrambling to safety on a coral reef.

‘‘It was like being in a washing machine,’’ said Mrs Hudson-Gray.

‘‘The waves were about 15ft and they were pulling us right down to the ocean floor and it was hard to get back up.

‘‘Georgia can swim, we had lifejackets on, but I think she would have struggled if she’d been on her own.

‘‘Eventually after about 10 minutes all six of us managed to scramble on to some nearby coral reefs and we were rescued.

‘‘We all had cuts from the coral and one person suffered a broken leg but there was no lasting damage.

‘‘It was terrifying. I have to say I thought we were going to die. Georgia was okay. I don’t think children feel fear.

‘‘When we were on the coral she said ‘the waves have nicked my trousers’. We were all howling. She lifted our spirits.’’

Mr Hudson, a docker, was watching from another boat. Georgia’s mother was one of those thrown into the sea.

‘‘People keep saying I’m a hero but I don’t feel like that,’’ said Mrs Hudson-Gray.

‘‘I just happened to be sitting next to Georgia and when we started to go over I just grabbed her and knew I had to hold on.

‘‘It was a lovely wedding and it will certainly be a honeymoon we’ll always remember.’’