BRATTLEBORO, Vt. -- A Brattleboro paramedic is being labeled a hero for rescuing a teenager from the fast-moving West River on Wednesday.

Authorities said the teen girl, whose identity they aren't releasing, jumped into the river to cool off, but was quickly carried downstream by the strong current.

Rescue personnel who came to the scene included Eric Pouliot, who went into the river and pulled the girl to safety.

Pouliot said he also had to struggle against the swift current to make it back to the river bank. "It took everything I had," he said.