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NH school principal dives in river to rescue boy

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January 27, 2012

NH school principal dives in river to rescue boy

Elementary school principal Gwen Rhodes used trees along riverbank to pull them to safety; both were treated for hypothermia, some bruises

The Associated Press

ROCHESTER, N.H. — An elementary school principal in New Hampshire jumped into a frozen river to save a 10-year-old student who fell through the ice.

Firefighters say that because of Principal Gwen Rhodes' quick action, Andrew Brown was in the Cocheco River for just a few minutes.

He had fallen through the ice Wednesday outside the Gonic School in Rochester.

Rhodes said the boy, who has autism, ran away from a teacher and through the woods behind the school onto the frozen river after a morning break. Both the teacher and Rhodes took off after him and saw him come to a stop on a patch of thin ice.

Rhodes says she was able to get to Andrew and use trees along the riverbank to pull them to safety.

Associated PressCopyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Both treated for hypothermia and some bruises.


Comments
The comments below are member-generated and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of EMS1.com or its staff.
Anne Krippner Akers Falaschi Anne Krippner Akers Falaschi Friday, January 27, 2012 4:50:01 PM Accolades to this principal....perhaps the school district will invest in a fence!
Andrew Sweeney Andrew Sweeney Saturday, January 28, 2012 8:54:04 AM Nice to see some educators still care enough to make a difference!
Gwynette Hammond Gwynette Hammond Sat Jan 28 13:09:12 PST 2012 Most of us do.
Andrew Sweeney Andrew Sweeney Sat Jan 28 13:10:22 PST 2012 I know, but the news seems to focus on those that don't, and I've had run-ins with several of the one's who don't
Sherry Miller Sherry Miller Saturday, January 28, 2012 8:54:28 AM Thank you Principal Gwen! Thank God no-one was killed! Your dedication to your students is awesome!
Stacy Dean Delacruz Stacy Dean Delacruz Saturday, January 28, 2012 10:25:34 AM what a wonderful person, and teacher to risk their lives to save another.
Kristine Burton-Bacheller Kristine Burton-Bacheller Saturday, January 28, 2012 11:39:54 AM A school official going above and beyond the call of duty to preserve life.....there ARE honorable people out there....they just don't make the front page very often. Good job!
Dylan O'Connor Dylan O'Connor Monday, February 06, 2012 11:00:16 AM I'm sure to the general media this will become a story of the school not having proper barriors or some other bull... This is truely an AMAZING story of someone who went above and beyond. True heroism is under-reported unfortunately.
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