off Somerset.

The child, accompanied by a woman, had been taken for a swim off Long Point.

He got into difficulties while the woman had her back turned.

When she looked round, she saw the Somerset youngster face down in the water.

She hauled the boy towards the shore, and he began coughing and spluttering.

Police who were called to scene helped revive the child, who has not been named.

He was rushed by ambulance to the intensive care unit at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Yesterday he was in "stable'' condition, Police spokesman Sgt. Steve Taylor said. He said the incident occurred at about 8.30 p.m. on Friday.

"He was bathing with a lady, when all of a sudden she turned round to see him face down in the water. She hauled him out and he started regurgitating the water.'' Yesterday a Long Point Lane resident said the beach where the boy had gone for a swim was a popular Cup Match haunt for people.