Chattanooga first responders honored for saving man's life at Harrison Bay State Park
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — An off-duty firefighter and other first responders who saved an elderly man from drowning received recognition from the Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) on Thursday.
Over the Memorial Day weekend, a man fell off a dock at Harrison Bay State Park.
CFD Lieutenant Christopher Newby, who was off-duty at the time, held onto him until the TWRA, sheriff's office, and EMS arrived to help get him out of the water.
Newby says he was just in the right place at the right time.
"I noticed him and rushed over to help," said Newby, "He had a bad cut on his hand and he was disoriented. I did what any other off-duty firefighter would have done in that situation. I’m just glad that he’s alright."
Chief Phil Hyman says it's more than that.
"I'd like for our community to understand it's not just a single agency that helps save lives on a daily basis. It's a team sport. I'd like to recognize all these agencies that pitch in to make this happen," said Hyman.
The elderly gentleman who was saved had a cut on his arm and was disoriented, but was expected to be okay.
