THE wife of a 72-year-old man who died after falling into a beck at the back of their home has paid tribute to ‘a brilliant man’.

Mavis Downing cradled her dead husband, Anthony, in the waist-deep waters of Peasey Beck for minutes while she waited for help to arrive.

Her husband, best known as Tony, had gone missing earlier on Saturday morning.

Mrs Downing, of Kaker Mill Cottage, Preston Patrick, said she noticed his car was still parked outside so thought he must have gone round to their neighbours.

When she could not find him, Mrs Downing searched the garden where she discovered some knocked over plant pots leaning towards the beck.

“I saw what I thought was a sack in the beck. I thought something may have floated down from the farm,” said Mrs Downing. “Then I realised I recognised the shirt. It was like looking at a ghost, it was so strange. I struggled to get down. I held his head up. I was so isolated, nobody was around.”

She described sitting with him for minutes, shouting for help.

Campers from nearby Kaker Mill Farm Caravan Park ran to the scene after hearing her shouts.

Alec Pains said: “I saw a lady in a panic running down the street. She said she'd heard screaming. We went down and found the wife holding her husband up out of the water around waist height.”

Once people arrived and helped pull Mr Downing from the freezing water.

Two fire engines, police and an air ambulance attended the scene. Mr Downing was taken to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary by air ambulance where he was pronounced dead.

Police said they were not treating the death as suspicious.

An inquest is expected to be opened this week.

The step-father of one had not been well since having a minor medical operation on April 17.

“I don't know what happened,” said Mrs Downing, who was due to celebrate her 38th wedding anniversary with her husband next week. “We had such a good life.”

The couple enjoyed a range of hobbies including fishing and gardening.

Mr Downing worked for a variety of coach companies as a driver. This allowed him to travel all over Europe. He was also a fishing instructor.

“My neighbours have been brilliant,” added Mrs Downing. “They have been calling round on me every dinner time to make sure I'm okay, they really have been a great support.”