Bicyclist Who Fell In River Talks To WPXI About Accident

An electrician working on the new Mister Rogers statue along Pittsburgh's North Shore is credited with saving the life of a bicyclist who took a spill, hit his head and fell into the river on Tuesday.

Chris Bradley, an electrician for Scalise Industries, was working on the statue when the bicyclist, Walter Swaskowksi, of Millvale, fell in.

“I just remember getting around the piece of equipment, and before I knew I had slid off the walkway and I was in the water,” said Swakowski.

"His head might have been 3 or 4 feet down under," said Bradley. "I seen bubbles coming out of his mouth, so I get my boots off and dive in and bring him up."

Bleeding and dazed from a vicious header to the concrete that shattered his helmet, Swakowski said he could not help himself in the water because he cannot swim.

“I don’t know how I will ever be able to thank him for that,” said Swakowski who spent a few hours in the ER as a doctor closed a wound above his right eye.

Bradley was already out of the river with the injured and dazed bicyclist when medics arrived. Someone had already called 911 to send River Rescue.

“While trying to navigate around construction here at Mister Rogers’ memorial, got his wheel stuck in between to pavements, knocking him off balance and causing him to go into the river,” said Chief of River Rescue Richard Linn.

Swaskowksi was rushed to a Pittsburgh hospital in good condition.

Bradley credited his friends as critical backup.

"Those other two fellas got down off the lift in time to pull him out of the water, and they were able to get me out as well," said Bradley.

Swaskowksi's wife called Bradley an angel, saying her husband doesn’t know how to swim. She said her husband is pretty banged up but will be OK.

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