Charles River, Boston - At approximately 6:00pm on June 3, Gary McNally (a.k.a. Captain Foghorn) was cruising along the Charles River near the end of his last Boston Duck Tour of the day when he heard a voice calling for help. He spotted a man trying to grasp onto the base of the Longfellow Bridge, but unable to keep his head above the water. He periodically went underwater and was struggling to keep from drowning. McNally immediately called for help then maneuvered the Duck over to the man. McNally, along with guests aboard the Duck, tried to throw the victim a life ring and multiple life preservers. "He kept going underwater and yelled that he couldn’t swim. "He was reluctant to move towards the floating devices, but finally was able to grab one that was thrown at his head”, said McNally, a 5 year veteran with Boston Duck Tours. They used the boat hook to pull him onto the back of the Duck where they wrapped him in blankets.When asked if he (the victim) had fallen, he responded he had jumped,” said Eric von Riegers a guest from Braintree who aided in the rescue.

McNally began to drive to the ramp when a Boston Police boat met the Duck. The victim was transferred on the police boat. “I have no doubt that had it not been for the immediate actions of the Captain, this individual would have drowned," said James Hale, Jr., a guest aboard the Duck. After years of doing water safety drills on the River, you never think you’ll have to use them. It all happened so quickly and my instincts took over," said McNally who, prior to working at Boston Duck Tours, worked for the Seekonk Police Department, the Seekonk Fire Department and was an EMT in Norfolk.

Gary McNally is available for interviews. Some video was filmed by a guest, Nancy Hale, and she can be contacted at 707-499-0968 or 707-443-5319. Guest contact names and phone numbers of witnesses are also available. 

About Boston Duck Tours

Boston Duck Tours average one hour and twenty minutes in length. Tours depart from the Museum of Science and the Prudential Center beginning at 9:00am and the last tour leaves an hour before sunset. Tours depart every 30 or 60 minutes, depending upon the season. Special $10 tickets may be purchased at the Prudential Center, the Museum of Science or Faneuil Hall.

Contact Bob Schwartz in Media Relations at 617-450-0068 or 800-226-7442