POLICE today praised a York homeless man who saved a teenager from drowning in the River Ouse.

Alexander Szekeres saw the 17-year-old struggling in the water in the early hours of yesterday close to the Blue Bridge, which crosses the Foss basin.

He was being pulled along with the current, but Mr Szekeres managed to grab him and keep his head above water until police and ambulance crews arrived.

Sgt Colin Ventress, of York Police, said Mr Szekeres almost certainly saved the youth's life.

But Mr Szekeres, 42, who is originally from Middlesbrough and has lived on the streets for 15 years, today played down his role, saying: "I'm just glad he is alive."

The drama started just before 5am yesterday when Mr Szekeres heard faint calls for help.

"I followed the voice and started shouting: 'Where are you?', and he was shouting back.

"It kept going silent and I thought he had gone down, but then I would see him again.

"I told him to make the effort to get to the bank and I tried to lift him. But he was too heavy for me, and if I had gone in the water then we would have both been in the same position.

"So I grabbed hold of his left arm and held him and then shouted for help."

Residents in Holly Terrace heard the cries and called the police, who managed to pull the youngster from the water.

A couple brought bedding to keep him warm until the ambulance arrived.

He was taken to York District Hospital suffering from the effects of cold.

Mr Szekeres said he was pleased he managed to help.

"I feel as though I've put something back into life, really.

"There's one soul still left on this earth rather than a tragic death.

"You hear all sorts of stories that people have fallen in the river and they haven't survived, that their body is discovered in the water.

"As long as he's okay. I think he will be a bit more careful next time."

Updated: 15:35 Monday, September 10, 2001