Eric Ober

Eric Ober saved Donald Gagne from drowning, Suncook, New Hampshire, May 10, 1940. Donald, 6, fell into water 10 feet deep in the Suncook River Canal and drifted between vertical walls six feet high in a current of three and a half m.p.h. toward a gate-opening under the floor of a gate-house that crossed the canal. Ober, 34, manufacturing company treasurer, who was clothed, jumped into the canal, took hold of Donald, tried to swim, but drifted with the current. He and Donald then went under the surface, drifted 20 feet through the gate-opening, which was but four feet wide and 18 inches high above the water, and then rose to the surface beyond the gate-house. After Ober had drifted 80 feet with Donald, a line was tossed to him; he and Donald were raised somewhat; and then he lost his hold on the rope. Ober trod water and thrust Donald upward to a man who had been lowered head first from the wall, and Donald was pulled onto the wall. A ladder was lowered to Ober, and men with great effort aided him onto the wall. He was weak and gasping from cold and strain.