A FATHER who saved his young son from drowning on holiday was last night hailed a real-life Superman.

Carl Gault plucked his son from deep waters in a Majorcan harbour as they waited to board a boat, which was aptly called Superman.

Mr Gault's wife, Karen, hailed her husband a hero for saving their son, Callum, seven, who cannot swim.

And Callum told The Northern Echo: "I think my dad really is like Superman."

The drama happened last week when the family, from Darlington, were enjoying the last day of their holiday in the Arenal resort and were about to board a pleasure boat.

As they waited in the harbour, Callum slipped on the wet ground and tumbled several feet into the water as his horrified parents looked on.

Mr Gault, 42, was still wearing his heavy rucksack when he dived in to rescue his son, who was under the water. Boat operators and tourists helped drag Callum to safety.

Mrs Gault fought back tears as she told of the dramatic events.

She said: "Callum wasn't near the edge at all, but all of a sudden he slipped, and fell backwards into the water.

"It was so deep and dark, he went completely under. He can't swim - he was drowning. I was in a sheer panic. My husband jumped in, but his heavy backpack was dragging him under.

"I really thought I was going to lose my little boy. If my husband had been a second later, I hate to think what would have happened.

"It's very appropriate the boat was called Superman - my husband is a real-life Superman to us now. My mum cried when she heard and thinks he's the best son-in-law in the world, she dotes on her little grandson."

Mr Gault said he did not think of himself as a hero.

"It was what any parent would do when your child is in danger, you don't have time to think," he said.

Neither Callum nor Mr Gault were injured in the incident, and boarded the boat for their trip later that day.