PITTSBURGH — A man who fell into the Allegheny River along the North Shore early Wednesday morning was rescued by a good Samaritan after nearly drowning.
Pittsburgh medics, police and firefighters were dispatched to the North Shore River Walk in the area of the police memorial around 2:45 a.m.
Public safety officials said a man fell into the river and was screaming for help.
A bystander saw the man, called 911 and held onto his arm until emergency crews arrived.
An EMS district chief who arrived on scene first, with the help of the bystander, was able to pull the man from the water and drag him up onto the river walk.
The man was treated for hypothermia and taken to a hospital in stable condition. Data from the United States Geological Survey showed the river temperature was about 54 degrees at the time. Officials did not say how long the man had been in the water.
Those on the River Walk described the rescue as both brave and remarkable, given the early morning hour.
“I thought it was brave and heroic,” Ro Guilford said.
“An amazing story, especially in the wee hours of the morning,” Gary Rabideau said. “To hear that someone extended themselves to probably a perfect stranger — that really is heartwarming and encouraging.”
Public safety officials say the man didn’t know how he fell into the river. Investigators think the incident “appears to have simply been an accident,” but intoxication may have been a factor.
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