Mystery Hero Helps Tot in Frigid River Plunge

French man helps dad save tot after East River tumble
By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 5, 2010 2:40 AM CDT
Updated Apr 5, 2010 6:49 AM CDT

A mystery hero joined a dad as he leaped into the frigid East River to save his toddler daughter who slipped during a weekend ship visit in Manhattan. Bridgitte Sheridan's mom says she'd like to thank the unknown French man who jumped into the river, but he disappeared in a cab after her 2-year-old daughter was whisked safely away in a ambulance. The drama occurred as Bridgitte fell 20 feet off a gangway on the way to tour a ship with her pop at the South Street Seaport.

Dad David Anderson, visiting from California, yanked off his shoes and leaped after the girl, who was already underwater. "He jumped in like a scene out of a movie," a witness told the New York Daily News. "He was pulling things out of his pockets as he was running down the steps. He didn't hesitate." He was quickly followed by the mystery hero as others gathered as close as possible to help lift the tot to safety. Video obtained by the News shows the father desperately holding his daughter as far from the 48-degree water as possible as he waits to be pulled out.
(More David Anderson stories.)

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