Jason McGrugan, 39, became an internet sensation when he got out his surfboard and paddled through east Belfast following heavy flooding in the area. Jason works at the Royal Victoria Hospital and had just finished a 14 hour shift before he headed out into the water.

"Catch yourself on" that's what Jason said to his neighbours who were egging him on to get out his surfboard. "After about 10 minutes I decided to get it out and go for a paddle" said Jason.

Aside from working in the hospital Jason is a qualified kite surfing instructor. "After work I would usually head down to Strangford Lough but I never imagined I would be surfing up the Castlereagh Road."

Jason rescued around 15 people in almost two hours out on the water ranging from kids to elderly people. He took one elderly gentleman called Billy from Clonduff to get vital medication and the police even asked him to check on an elderly woman in Loopland Park as they were not able to access that area.

"Most people stayed on their knees and I promised I wouldn't let them fall in. One woman really took to it though and even had a go at paddling." said Jason, qualified surfing instructor. "I'm not sure I'll be able to set up a surf school on the Castlereagh Road but I think a lot more people are interested in the sport."

"The flooding was terrible" Jason said, "It's an ongoing problem that really needs to be sorted out. I was lucky as the flooding didn't actually reach my house. Just looking in the water though it was disgusting, it was full of sewage and petrol."