BIKE instructor John Chappell didn’t hesitate to dive into an icy cold pond to rescue a dog – even if it meant showing off the Superman pyjamas he was wearing under his gear.

John, who works for Stellar Motorcycle Training in Cinderford, was taking a break with two students on a compulsory basic training ride at Soudley Ponds when a very distressed elderly gentleman asked him to ring the fire service to rescue his dog, a miniature whippet.

Mr Chappell, who lives in Caldicot, said with the dog getting weaker there was no option but to try and bring her back to safety himself.

He said: “She was about 20 metres out and the water was absolutely freezing.

“When we’re out on the road with students we usually stop for five or 10 minutes to let them have a rest and to have a chat about what they were doing well and what they were doing wrong.

“We were on our way out when this elderly gentleman stopped us and asked me to ring the fire brigade.

“He said the dog is quite old and blind and he was very panicked about it.

“When I said I’d go in, he thanked me but there was no other option. The dog was getting weaker and I don’t think it would have lasted if we’d had to wait for the fire brigade.

“It was difficult, seeing how distressed the man was – I couldn’t just sit back and let his dog drown.

“It had to be done – I was probably the strongest and I’m a pretty strong swimmer.

“There were no ropes or life-saving equipment and the longer we waited the worse it was going to be.

“There were some girls there too and they were getting upset about the dog.

“I stripped off and I had a pair of Superman pyjama bottoms on because they are warm and comfortable under your gear.

“I was in the water for about five minutes and it was absolutely freezing. The elderly gentleman had been in himself and was in up to his waist before he had to come out.

“There was a lot of weed which was the issue – I couldn’t swim quickly because I was getting tangled in this pond weed all the time.

“When I got to the dog, it was still swimming around in circles. We were all calling the dog but she wouldn’t respond.”

His boss at Stellar Motorcycle Training in Valley Road, Kevin Dunn, said Mr Chappell was “a genuine hero.”

He added: “If you find yourself in a situation like this, you really want John there. He is the sort of guy who would do this. Not everyone would dive into icy cold water to rescue your dog.”

The two teenage students were very amused to see the Superman pyjamas revealed as he went into the water.

Mr Dunn said: “The students could hardly get their breath when they saw what he had on.

“They said he hoofed it to try and find a phone box to change.”

The dog was brought out of the water shivering with cold but able to walk and was wrapped in coats to keep it warm before being taken away.

Mr Chappell didn’t get the name of the owner or his pet but would like to know if the dog has made a recovery.

He said: “I didn’t get chance to ask but we’d love to know that the dog is OK. We can be contacted at the office on 07753 238 073.