A FISHERMAN told last night how he and his skipper escaped death after their vessel sank in icy waters off the North-East coast.

What caused the drama is still unknown, but one theory is that their boat was swamped by a gigantic wave.

Last night, seafarer Paul Slimmings, 37, thanked fellow fishermen and lifeboat crew who plucked him and skipper Stephen Horsley from the sea.

Mr Slimmings was at home recovering from hypothermia and shock, but Mr Horsley was still in hospital. It is believed he suffered chest injuries when the boat went down off Hartlepool on Tuesday night.

Father-of-three Mr Slimmings said: "I feel very lucky to be alive. I'm glad to be home and I just want to thank everyone for what they did. I don't know what happened. It happened so quickly."

The experienced fishermen were returning to Hartlepool Marina at about 5.15pm when their 15-metre boat, Norwood, began to take on water as they approached the Heugh Pier.

The fishermen did not have time to call for help, and within minutes the boat was gone.

The men found themselves floundering in high seas and pitch darkness. But other fishing boats spotted them and the alarm was raised at 5.36pm.

Fishermen managed to pull Mr Slimmings on board their vessel, but there was more drama to follow.

The men could only hold on to Mr Horsley, 50, who proved too heavy for them.

They fought to hold on to the ailing skipper and were almost exhausted by the time help arrived.

Hartlepool lifeboat cox-swain Garry Waugh said his crew was at the scene quickly and found Mr Horsley in a grave condition.

He was coughing up fluids, including blood, and was barely conscious.

Lifeboat crewman Steve Pounder, who was dressed in a dry-suit and fitted to a lifeline, went into the water to rescue the skipper.

He had to swim about 50 yards to the fishing vessel, while the lifeboat remained at a distance to ensure the boats did not collide, and grab Mr Horsley.

"I got hold of him and I held on to him, keeping his face above the water as much as possible," said electrician Mr Pounder.

"It was difficult because there was a heavy swell and he was such a big guy, he was pushing me under the water. I had to fight to keep above water.

"The rest of the lifeboat crew used the lifeline to pull us both to safety, and they pulled the fisherman out of the water and put him on a stretcher. He was barely conscious.

"My adrenaline was going, but I was fine because it was what I had trained for. Everything went well and I'm glad it worked out."

Yesterday, a surveillance boat was at the scene to monitor any environmental damage. All that could be seen of the Norwood was its mast sticking out of the water at low tide.

An investigation is being launched by the Humber Coastguard to discover the cause of the incident.

Mr Waugh said he believed both men were very fortunate to escape with their lives.

He said: "They are both extremely lucky. If it was not for the fishermen passing, it could have been a disaster.

"They were very fortunate that they were returning and so close to the shore."

Mr Slimmings' wife, Angela, said her husband was recovering at home on The Headland, in Hartlepool, yesterday after being discharged from hospital.

She said: "Paul is exhausted and is still in shock - he's very quiet. They were in the water for about half an hour and know they are lucky to be alive.

"They are both very experienced fishermen. My husband started fishing when he was 14, but we haven't got a clue what happened.

"I don't want him to go back out there, it's always such a worry - but it's all he knows."

The family of Mr Horsley, who also lives at The Headland, were not available for comment last night.