“THEY are real heroes”.

Those are the words of a crane operator who survived a 100ft plunge after hearing that two men who saved his life are to be honoured for their bravery.

Jay Squibb said he would never be able to thank the pair enough after they scrambled up 30ft of twisted metal and damaged ship containers to reach him after the arm of his crane broke off, sending him plummeting through the air.

Michael Hughes and David Pearce ignored calls not to make the dangerous attempt – instead reaching the dad-of-two and giving vital first aid while waiting for paramedics at Southampton docks.

Now their bravery is set to be honoured with a prestigious Royal Humane Society Testimonial on Vellum award, personally signed by Princess Alexandra.

Last night Jay, 34, and his wife Ali, from Woolston, Southamp-ton, said Mr Hughes and Mr Pearce deserved the recognition. Jay said: “They did what they did not knowing what they would find up there, and probably expected to see me dead.

“If I was in the same situation as them I am not sure what I would have been able to do. They were very heroic – real heroes.”

Ali added: “I think they are amazing. I am so happy they are getting this award because they deserve all the recognition they can get for what they did.

“They kept talking to Jay and did everything they could to keep him conscious. I just want to give them both a big hug and say thank you.”

Last night Mr Hughes, 51, from West End, did not want to talk about his lifesaving actions. Mr Pearce, 39, from Fareham was away on leave.

Paying tribute, Chris Lewis, managing director of DP World, said: “We are delighted to hear that the bravery demonstrated by Mike and Dave in the immediate aftermath of the crane collapse last year has been recognised by the Royal Humane Society – the award is truly deserved.”

Today Jay and Ali are celebrating their son Finley’s eighth birthday and looking ahead to youngest son Wilson’s second birthday next month.

“It’s great that we get to celebrate together, as Jay missed Wilson’s first birthday last year,” Ali added.

Jay, 34, suffered serious neck injuries, lacerations to his arms and legs and a smashed knee in the accident. He is still undergoing physiotherapy on his knee and has been left with differences to his voice because of his injuries.

Dick Wilkinson, secretary of The Royal Humane Society, said: “This courageous pair had been told there was no point trying to save Mr Squibb, as he would certainly have been killed in this horrific accident.

“Nevertheless, they put their own lives in jeopardy to clamber up to reach the mangled crane cab, perched precariously on a slippery stack of containers 30ft above deck level, and 80ft above sea level.

“They gave first aid to Mr Squibb until emergency services could arrive. Without them, he might never have been rescued and any delay could have resulted in his death.”

The pair are expected to receive their award later this summer.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive into the accident in July last year is still ongoing.