By Pat Grossmith
The New Hampshire Union Leader
MANCHESTER, N.H. — A man who lives under the Granite Street Bridge helped a woman to shore Thursday morning after she jumped from the bridge into the frigid Merrimack River.
District Fire Chief Hank Martineau said 911 was called at 9:08 a.m. about a jumper and by the time police and firefighters arrived, the homeless man had helped the woman, described as in her 30s and under the influence of something, out of the river near the south end of the factory building housing Southern New Hampshire University offices and other businesses.
Martineau said the unsung hero heard a splash, turned around and saw the woman in the water.
The current pushed her towards the shoreline and he helped her out of the river.
Martineau said when firefighters arrived, the man was walking the woman to an ambulance that had arrived to take her to Catholic Medical Center for treatment of hypothermia and for an evaluation.
“He kind of disappeared in the midst of the whole thing,” Martineau said. He did not get the unsung hero’s name.
Martineau said it appears the woman will be OK.
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©2014 The New Hampshire Union Leader (Manchester, N.H.)