A GREAT Yarmouth seafront bar owner is being hailed a hero after he helped save the life of a man who had been stabbed in the neck.Police and paramedics have praised the quick-thinking actions of Shane Butcher which helped save the life of the 21-year-old man.

A GREAT Yarmouth seafront bar owner is being hailed a hero after he helped save the life of a man who had been stabbed in the neck.

Police and paramedics have praised the quick-thinking actions of Shane Butcher which helped save the life of the 21-year-old man.

Mr Butcher and other staff from the Long Bar on Marine Parade rushed to help after a large brawl broke out opposite the premises on Friday night.

Mr Butcher, who owns the bar with his parents, modestly said: “It was just one of those things you do at the time. I didn't really think about it.”

He said he and his staff rushed to help the police after a fight broke out involving up to 20 people outside Joyland children's theme park just after 11pm.

“I got my doormen together and we went to help. Initially there were only about five or six police officers and they were doing their best but they didn't have control of the situation.

“Then I noticed a police officer holding this guy who had a six to seven inch wound to his neck. I could see that he had not closed the wound and the man was losing blood, so I went over and tried to help stem the bleeding.

“His clothes were absolutely saturated in blood and there was a pool of blood on the floor. He was a mess. I have never seen anything like it. I have done first aid training and just did my best to help.”

A paramedic told Mr Butcher afterwards that his actions had probably saved the injured man's life.

Five men were arrested following the incident and remained in police custody over the weekend.

Police said the victim suffered serious neck wounds and was initially taken to the James Paget University Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

He was later transferred to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital where his injuries are no longer believed to be life-threatening.

Mr Butcher said that none of the people involved had been in the Long Bar that night.

He added: “We always help the police when we can. We work closely with them and I was just glad we were able to help.”

The scene was cordoned off on Saturday as officers and crime scene investigators continued with their inquiries and forensics examination.

Norfolk police have publicly thanked the Long Bar staff who gave assistance.

Any witnesses to the incident or the assault who have not yet spoken to police are urged to contact Yarmouth CID on 0845 456 4567 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.