Two US tourists shun limelight after daring river rescue

TWO American tourists were hailed as heroes after they jumped into a river and saved a middle-aged woman from drowning.

Troy Drawdy and David Laing were travelling on a tour bus in Cork city, when just after 4pm yesterday they noticed the woman in the river.

They were among 40 tourists who were on a Tauck World Discovery coach which was stopped in traffic on Brian Boru Bridge.

The tourists noticed a woman walking up Anderson Quay, who then climbed over railings and jumped into the River Lee. They were further alerted to the woman’s plight by local man, Michael Flynn, who pointed to the woman in the water.

Without hesitation, Troy, who is from Florida, and David, from Los Angeles, jumped into the river. Troy’s wife, Diane, said the woman was head down in the river by the time the two men reached her.

They managed to keep her afloat until three fire brigade crews arrived at the scene.

The firemen then took over, putting the woman into a harness and winched her onto the quay.

A number of people watching the drama unfold described the Americans as heroes. However, both of them were very modest about the experience.

Troy said he did what anybody else would have done, while David simply declared that he wasn’t a hero.

But David’s wife, Theresa, had no doubt that her husband had helped to save the woman.

The woman was taken to Cork University Hospital, while the two Americans were taken to the South Infirmary/Victoria University Hospital as a precaution. Last night they rejoined their wives and fellow tourists at Hayfield Manor, where they are staying as part of their tour of Ireland.