NEW BEDFORD — Two fishermen — the first to assist a man who fell in the water off State Pier on Tuesday — said "the real hero" in the rescue were the life rings installed along the city's waterfront after the deaths of two fishermen in 2008.

"The hero was Kenny Thuestad and the life rings," said Kevin Perry, 54, who along with Christoper Bird, 52, a retired fisherman, assisted a 64-year-old New Bedford man, who fell into the water.

They explained that the City of New Bedford installed the life rings all around the waterfront following the drowning deaths of two fishermen, Robert Glover and Thuestad. They said Thuestad jumped into the water and died in an effort to save Glover.

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