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Good Samaritan helps save 2 lives after Jet Ski overturns in Niagara River

Two people were riding a Jet Ski that overturned in the Niagara River near Tonawanda Island on Friday evening.

TOWN OF TONAWANDA, N.Y. — A Grand Island man helped save two lives Friday evening on the Niagara River.

Two people were riding a Jet Ski that overturned in the Niagara River near Tonawanda Island.

A call quickly went out around 6:30 p.m., alerting the U.S. Coast Guard, the Erie County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit, and the Air 1 helicopter that two people were in the water. Before they got to the scene — and only four minutes after the 911 call was received — a 53-year-old man was able to safely get both people out of the water and onto his boat.

Both people were later turned over to the Coast Guard.

"This incident highlights the importance of boaters being alert at all times and ensuring that everyone on a personal watercraft is wearing a flotation device," the Erie County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

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