A FISHERMAN from Cornwall who survived being dragged 40ft underwater in a freak accident has spoken of his miracle escape.

Wayne Evans was pulled into freezing seas off the Cornish coast after getting tangled in ropes as the Newlyn-based netter Ocean Spray shot her nets.

The 30-year-old, from Falmouth, has told how he managed to free himself from the nets, wriggle out of his oilskins and boots to safety.

"I felt like Houdini trying to take chains off underwater," he said. "It was cold enough to freeze blood. I don't know where I got the strength, but in my head I was screaming to the sea, 'you won't take me tonight. You won't claim me like this'."

The accident happened as Mr Evans, crewmate Philip Always and skipper Peter Laity were fishing 15 miles off the coast last Wednesday.

As Mr Evans let out the net, a nine stone anchor weight was "bounced" into the boat by a wave, hitting him in the chest and breaking a rib.

His cries alerted Mr Laity who stopped the 45ft boat. However, Mr Evans, tangled in the net, was dragged over the side by the weight.

"The net started to pull tight and crush me, I was finding it hard to breathe but I managed to shout to the skipper to stop the boat," he said.

"But as he did the tension reversed the other way, and because I was caught on the anchor it catapulted me about 20ft into the air and body-slammed me into the sea.

"It started taking me down with it, and I just thought to myself 'I've got to get these boots off'. I thought 'I've got a chance if I can get them off'.

"I just kept thinking about my family and my baby boy and somehow managed to kick my boots off while I was being dragged down."

After struggling out of the net and shedding his weather gear, he "kicked like hell" for the surface.

Mr Evans, who has three stepchildren and four-month-old son, Troy, with partner Melissa Coates, added: "I took a huge breath and started shouting. Just as I thought it was the end, Peter and Philip grabbed me. Someone was looking out for me that night. I should be dead."

The Penlee lifeboat was launched to the emergency but was unable to put a crewman on board to treat Mr Evans because of the heavy swell.

Instead, the lifeboat escorted the Ocean Spray to Newlyn, from where Mr Evans was taken to the Royal Cornwall Hospital Treliske, Truro.

Coxswain Patch Harvey said the tragic death of Chris Cripps – in similar circumstances on the Ocean Spray in 1997 – immediately came to mind when they answered the call.

Mr Harvey said Mr Evans "owed his life" to the fast actions of the crew. "He is a very lucky man," he said. "It could have been a very sad outcome if it wasn't for the quick actions of his skipper and crewmate, especially in those conditions."

Last week's incident is being investigated by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch.