California Dad's Dramatic Rescue!

A father's quick and brave act is being hailed as the reason his two-year old daughter is alive today. The incident, which witnesses say felt like a scene from a movie, happened on Saturday afternoon, when California resident, David Anderson and his family were visiting a historic ship display, at South Street Seaport in New York.

Eric Stringer, a freelance TV producer, who caught the entire rescue on tape, says that he was just getting his camera ready to take some pictures when he heard a splash. Apparently, two-year old Bridgette Anderson had slipped from the ship's gangplank into the freezing waters, 20ft below.

Eric's first impulse was to jump after her, but just as he was about to take the plunge, he heard another splash. Bridgette's father, David Anderson and an unidentified French tourist had leaped in to save the little girl. So Eric did what he does best - take amazing footage of the dramatic rescue. Meanwhile, his wife called 911 for help.

David quickly managed to get hold of little Bridgette. All the onlookers waited anxiously to see if the toddler was okay - and were soon rewarded by the most beautiful sound of Bridgette, crying!

In order to get the little girl out of the freezing river as soon as possible, David passed his daughter to the group of visitors who had formed a 'human' chain by wedging themselves on the platform, underneath the Pier. Once she was safe, David hauled himself up with the help of a heavy-duty rope that someone had tossed into the water.

Thanks to her father's brave action, little Bridgette came out of the whole ordeal completely unscathed and with the help of Eric's amazing footage, will have not only an amazing tale, but equally amazing footage of the dramatic rescue to show her friends when she grows up!

sources:nydailynews.com