Paul H. Fassnacht saved Otto J. Baumgarten from drowning, New York, New York, June 11, 1939. At night Baumgarten, 52, restaurant operator, fell from a launch in a yacht basin in the Hudson River and drifted in a current of 2.5 m.p.h. in water 20 feet deep. Fassnacht, 46, manufacturer, who was clothed and who suffered from a heart ailment, jumped from the launch and swam 20 feet to Baumgarten, who threw his arms around Fassnacht’s shoulders. They struggled violently, and then Fassnacht freed his arms. After further struggle Fassnacht got hold of Baumgarten’s collar. Drifting toward the open river, Fassnacht supported Baumgarten and stroked to offset the drift. After they had drifted 60 feet, men reached them in a motor-boat and pulled Baumgarten into it. He collapsed but recovered. Fassnacht held to the boat and was towed to the launch. He was exhausted; and he collapsed, remained in a coma for an hour, and then was revived. 37825-3144
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37825-3144