A dog walker has personally thanked the rescuers who saved him after he got stuck in mud for six hours.

Eastern Daily Press: Martin Kay and his dog Holly Blue who were helped by The National Police Air Service, meets the helicopter team and local Police officers who rescued him after a fall while walking. Pictured Holly Blue who stayed at Martins side until he was rescued.Martin Kay and his dog Holly Blue who were helped by The National Police Air Service, meets the helicopter team and local Police officers who rescued him after a fall while walking. Pictured Holly Blue who stayed at Martins side until he was rescued.

Martin Kay met the search and rescue teams who were called out after he became stuck.

The 67-year-old took his labrador, Holly Blue, for a walk around Thornham Parva at about 2.30pm on January 18 when he became stuck – and with temperatures dropping, and after unsuccessful calls for help, he lost consciousness.

But his loyal dog stayed by his side until he was found by officers at around 9pm, with the help of the Wattisham-based National Police Air Service helicopter.

Mr Kay, who lives in the village, said: 'Fortunately, I don't remember much of it. I remember it beginning to get dark – when I first fell the sun was out.'

Suffolk police were called at 7.30pm after reports he had not returned home. Officers were sent to the village to begin searching for him. The police helicopter was then called in to search for Mr Kay – and the crew and officers successfully located him by a footpath, around half a mile from the nearest roads or houses. Images taken by personnel on the helicopter show Holly Blue by his side when he was found.

Yesterday, Mr Kay visited Wattisham Airfield to meet the helicopter crew and police officers who rescued him that evening and have a look around the aircraft.

Recalling the day, Mr Kay said: 'I struggled for some time and I was getting weaker and weaker. I got my chest up but couldn't get my legs up.

'Time went by and it was beginning to get dark – I called for help and drifted.'

Mr Kay also joked he was not panicking about the situation as it was too cold. PCs Clare Wayman, Neil Wisken and Luke Allard, who were the first officers on the scene, believe the temperature was between -2 to -3C (28F-26.6F).

'I wasn't optimistic about anyone hearing me but I thought someone would find me or someone wouldn't,' Mr Kay said.

Of his dog's actions, Mr Kay said: 'It was the first and the last time she had been called into action. She's a very loyal dog. She's quite well behaved most of the time!'

PC Allard said: 'If it wasn't for the thermal imaging of the helicopter we wouldn't have found him.'

PC David Bazlinton, who was in the helicopter the night Mr Kay was located, said: 'On our own we couldn't have done it, on their own the officers on the ground couldn't have done it but together we could – that's what we do. It was the best result.'