Frederick Andrew Parker, 21, student, saved Viola M.Fanning, 21, from drowning, Cambridge, Massachusetts, March 19, 1918. Miss Fanning dropped from a bridge into the Charles River 175 feet from the bank. The water was very cold and was 10 to 15 feet deep. Parker ran about 400 feet to an abutment at the bank, descended partway on a ladder leading to the water, and then dived, heavily clothed, and swam to Miss Fanning, who was struggling at the surface. He cautiously took hold of her hair and swam toward the bank. She became unconscious, and after Parker had swum 50 feet with her and was beginning to be numb from the cold water, a ring life buoy was lowered to him from the bridge. He and Miss Fanning were drawn to the ladder; Miss Fanning was drawn to the top, and Parker then ascended. 19569-1791
19569 – 1791
19569-1791