Edward A. C. DiRuscio saved Bertha M. Schmidt from drowning, Niagara Falls, New York, June 3, 1931. Miss Schmidt, 55, waded in the Niagara River, was swept from her feet, and drifted toward Niagara Falls in a current of about 5 m.p.h. The bottom was of flat rock ledges, which were broken at innumerable places by irregularities, and the water swirled and undulated. DiRuscio, 21, laborer, who was clothed, ran to the bank and entered the water at a point 335 feet from the brink of the falls. Making swimming motions with his arms, he waded to Miss Schmidt, who was unconscious. Just before he reached her 25 feet from the bank and in water three to five feet deep, he stumbled and momentarily went under the surface. They drifted 15 feet toward the brink as DiRuscio was getting hold of her. Holding Miss Schmidt, DiRuscio made swimming motions with one arm and waded diagonally across the current for 15 feet and then directly toward the bank. When he was close to the bank, he was given a hand by another man. Miss Schmidt was revived.
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