Almost 38 years ago, a nine-year-old boy's life was in the balance as he floundered, fully-clothed, in a murky, fast-flowing Norfolk river.
As the weight of his Parka coat and Wellington boots pulled him under, David Ginn looked likely to lose his fight with the River Bure at Great yarmouth.
But at the critical moment, he was plucked from the waters by two local men.
Now the grown-up Mr Ginn, a father of one, wants to track the men down to thank them - and show them photos of the family that 'would not have existed' without their heroics.
Mr Ginn, now 46, has been searching for the two men who saved his life but has exhausted all avenues.
'My father thanked the men for their heroic efforts,' he said. 'He provided them with a change of clothes and we continued on our holiday, but the impact of that day didn't hit me until later in life.
'I just want to say a big personal thank you to them and show pictures of my family, a family that possibly would not have existed without their help that day.'
The incident happened on June 26, 1981, when young David fell into the River Bure in Great Yarmouth and was swept away by the fast-moving current.
Dick Boulter and Martin Smith were working in the first-floor office of the Port of Yarmouth Marina (now Yarmouth Harbour) and rushed to the boy's rescue.
Mr Ginn, who lives in South Croydon, recalled the day and remembered seeing the two men on the shore moments before going under.
'I was wearing an old-style 70s Parka coat as the weather was bleak, a few layers and Wellington boots,' he said. 'When I surfaced from the initial submerging a wooden rowing boat hit my head. I turned to the shore which seemed miles away and swam as best I could.
'I was doing well but when a few metres away I started to go under. I saw two men stripping off on the shore and I wondered what on earth they were up too. The next thing I knew I was being lifted from the water.'
Speaking to the EDP on June 27, 1981, Mr Boulter said: 'He looked as if he was going to make the bank. He seemed quite a strong little swimmer but the current took him away and I could see him going under.'
Do you know the men? Email emily.prince@archant.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here