But Mr Reeder downplayed talk of his heroics, saying: “I'm just the fella that jumped in. I am glad I could help.''

The baby was in the water for five minutes before rescuers managed to bring him to safety. It is believed a freak gust of wind was responsible for tipping the pushchair into the water.

Today, 24 hours after the incident, Sam’s father Martyn Stevens made an emotional return to the scene where he paid tribute to rescuers.

Mr Stevens said: “I want to say thank you to everyone that helped out.

“The response of everyone was amazing and I don’t think you can get any better than that. It goes to show Watchet is a great place.”

Mr Reeder, a keen surfer, said his adrenaline simply kicked in when he heard screams for help.

Recalling the rescue, he said: “I don’t know exactly how he went in, but I was on the esplanade and heard the commotion and I assumed somebody’s dog had gone into the water, so I went cycling over.

“They were on the West Pier, where you walk up to the lighthouse, some way away, but the noise travels and I could hear screaming from a woman.

“The mother was there and she said ‘my baby has gone in the water’, so I went to the edge and I could see the pushchair upside down, floating away.

“I just jumped in and pulled the pushchair back over to the edge of the quay, and then somebody put a rope down over and I tied it on and they lifted it out.

“As far as I know, what the police told me was that the wind blew the buggy in.”

People in Watchet today echoed the sentiments of baby Sam’s family, with many offering messages of thanks as Mr Reeder strolled through the marina.

“We saved a life  brilliant,” Mr Reeder said.

“Everyone keeps saying, ‘oh, you’re such a hero’, everyone keeps coming up and shaking my hand and I think it’s not just me. The coastguard, the helicopter pilot, Tanya (Allen).

“I’m just the fella that jumped in.”