text: A pensioner who nearly choked to death on a pickled onion says his Labrador saved his life – after jumping on his back to dislodge it from his throat. Alan Spencer, 67, was tucking into his dinner when the pickled onion blocked his windpipe. He frantically tried to clear his throat, and after three minutes made his way to the door in a bid to get help from a passer-by. But he collapsed in his hallway and felt his life ‘slipping away’ as he began to black out – in front of his Labradors Lexi and Nancy. Scroll down for video . Man's best friend: Alan Spencer from Withernsea with his dog Lexi who saved his life by jumping on his back when he passed out after choking on a pickled onion . Thankfully 18-month-old Lexi leaped into action and jumped on to the centre of Alan’s back, dislodging the onion and saving her owner's life. He said: ‘People will say they are only animals and don’t know what they are doing, but Lexi is so clever. ‘She saved my life most definitely. If it wasn’t for her I honestly don’t think I would be here. If it wasn’t for her actions I would be dead – lying in that passageway dead.’ The pensioner had been tucking into his dinner when he began choking and had begun to feel his 'life slipping away' Alan, who lives on his own in Withernsea, East Yorkshire, was tucking into an early dinner of crispbreads with gherkins and pickled onions when he started to choke last Thursday evening. Lexi, a rare red-coloured Labrador, and ten-month-old Nancy began to get agitated as he leapt up and tried to clear his airway. Retired club singer Mr Spencer staggered into the hallway in an effort to get to his front door for help, but his legs gave way and he fell face-first towards the floor. But  18-month-old Lexi leaped into action and jumped with all fours onto the centre of Alan's back -dislodging the onion and saving her owner's life . He recalled: ‘All of a sudden out of the blue I felt this almighty crash on my back. Lexi had just jumped straight up in the air and landed right in the middle of my back. All of a sudden the piece of skin shot out of my mouth and I could breathe again.’ He added: ‘My back hurt for two or three days afterwards – as did my throat – but I’m fine now. I’ve been spoiling them both since with treats, but every time I cough now Lexi turns her head quickly.’
target: Pensioner Alan Spencer's life was saved by his 18-month old Labrador Lexi .
  The 67-year-old began choking on pickled onion and felt life 'slipping away'
  But Lexi jumped on his back - dislodging the onion and saving his life .
  An earlier version of this article stated that Lexi the labrador had saved Mr Spencer's live by performing the Heimlich manoeuvre. In fact, the dog jumped on his back to clear the blockage. Heimlich involves applying sudden, strong pressure on the abdomen, which was not the case in this instance. We are happy to clarify this.