Dinner Celebrates Kent State Student's Life-Saving Reaction

Kent firefighters cooked a special dinner Tuesday night to bring together a Kent State University student and the young girl he saved from the raging Cuyahoga River.

The fire department recognized Eric Johnston for his bravery May 22, from being swept away.

The dinner also brought together the Fisher family with Johnston and the fire crew that responded only moments after Johnston had helped Madelyn and her father, Todd, out of the rushing water.

Madelyn had fallen in seconds earlier at Heritage Park and was swept downstream near the Silk Mill Apartments building, where Johnston waded in and pulled her out. Everyone escaped with minor cuts and scrapes.

Todd Fisher said he wants to nominate Johnston for an American Red Cross Real Heroes of Summit and Portage Counties award.