THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, September 4, 1995 TAG: 9509040059
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: NEWPORT NEWS LENGTH: Short : 27 lines
A man leapt 50 feet off the James River Bridge to save his fiancee's dog from drowning.
Johnny Johnson Jr., his fiancee, Lisha Lee, and 5-year-old miniature collie, Cosmo, were traveling across the bridge Saturday afternoon. They had to stop when the bridge opened to allow a boat to pass.
The couple and Cosmo got out to look over the side of the bridge, and Cosmo fell into the water. Johnson, 32, went right in after him.
The two floated about 200 yards apart for about 15 minutes before a passing pleasure boat picked up Johnson and then circled around to get the dog, Lee said.
Man, woman and pooch later were reunited at the nearby Lee Ward Municipal pier. by CNB