Alexander Lias Travis

Alexander Lias Travis saved Stuart E. DeLand from drowning, Eaton, New York, August 15, 2013. DeLand, 93, remained in the driver’s seat of his automobile after it left the roadway, entered Bradley Brook Reservoir, and began to sink in water about 12 feet deep at a point about 35 feet from the bank. Alexander, 17, high school student, was a passenger in a vehicle that stopped at the scene. He immediately ran to the bank of the reservoir, removed his shoes, and entered the water. After swimming to the driver’s side of DeLand’s car, the front end of which was submerged, he attempted without success to open the driver’s door. He was successful in opening the rear door on that side of the car, and water then rushing inside forced him into the back-seat area. Alexander reached over the center console and released DeLand’s safety belt but was unable to pull him from his seat. He exited the vehicle and pulled on the window of the driver’s door until it broke out. Reaching inside the submerging car through the window opening, he grasped DeLand and pulled him head first out of the car. They both submerged, but Alexander was able to take DeLand back to the surface. He then swam DeLand to the bank, where he had help in removing him from the water. DeLand required hospitalization, and Alexander sustained lacerations on his hands, from which he recovered.