A BRAVE fisherman has told of the heart-wrenching moment he was forced to choose between saving two drowning brothers at a popular Lake District beauty spot.

Yanek Kowal, aged 65, was fishing on the pier in Ullswater, near the Howtown Outward Bound Centre, with his wife when he witnessed two young men swimming in the lake starting to look weak.

Mr Kowal began to empty his pockets of fishing tackle and alerted his wife that he felt something was not quite right.

With 47 years of experience in lifeguarding the fisherman watched as tragedy began to unfold in the water as the two young men got into difficulties.

Quick-thinking Mr Kowal bravely rushed round to the beach and started swimming out to the pair who were floundering in the water.

Emergency services were also called to the rescue at around 5pm on Thursday.

“They looked very weak in the water,” said Mr Kowal.

“And I just knew something wasn’t right.

“They were about 50 metres out but as I got to them, it was already nearly too late for one of them.”

Mr Kowal said it was the “toughest decision of his life” to choose which man to save.

Tragically, one of the swimmers, a 21-year-old man, called Bryxzel Galeon, had disappeared from view before Mr Kowal could reach him.

However, he had managed to rescue the younger swimmer, an 18-year-old teenager called Ayxzel Galeon, and bring him safely on to the pontoon.

Mr Kowal, who is originally from Hartlepool but now lives in Hereford and works at Swimming Teachers’ Association, explained how he tried several life saving techniques in order to get the boy to safety but the 18-year-old was panicking and grabbed the fisherman, dragging them both under water.

“I approached with caution and I had to wait until he was nearly too weak and and starting to sink before I could grab him,” continued Mr Kowal.

“I came so close to dying. This was by far the worst and scariest situation I’ve ever been in.”

The brothers, who were from Ilford, east London, were in the Lake District with their family celebrating Bryxzel’s graduation from University when tragedy struck.

The ordeal has left its mark on the lifeguard, who admitted: “Now the adrenalin has worn off, I have cried and had a couple of pints.

“I want people to understand their limits when swimming in lakes and rivers. It’s not like in a swimming pool.

“Everyone should be taught about the dangers of cold-water shock too, as I believe it played a factor in this tragedy.

“This terrible experience has ruined the family’s life and it is something that will be with me for the rest of mine.”

The 18-year-old was taken to hospital and has since been discharged.

Mr Kowal said he helped specialist divers locate the body of the 21-year-old late at night.