Animal survived

Man tries to save dog from canal – drowns himself

36 emergency services raced to the scene of the tragedy, but were only able to recover the man dead (symbolic image).(Bild: APA/dpa/Karl-Josef Hildenbrand)

Dramatic scenes in Berlin-Tiergarten: a 79-year-old man jumped into the Landwehr Canal today, Thursday, to save his beloved dog. While the animal survived and was brought to shore, the owner's courageous effort ended fatally.

The centuries-old branch of the Berlin Spree became the scene of the tragedy. Passers-by watched as the animal lover threw himself into the water at the Cornelius Bridge to help his dog, a police spokesman confirmed to German media.

Desperate search for animal friend
He also managed to rescue him safely to the shore, but he was unable to get out of the water under his own power and simply sank. An emergency call was made immediately: 36 firefighters rushed to the scene and desperately searched for the man with helicopter support.

Divers finally rescued the 79-year-old with the help of a boat. Despite immediate resuscitation attempts, they were unable to do anything more for him. The dog has now been taken into the care of relatives.