Alvin J. Gerdes, 37, farmer, attempted to save Todd E. Flesner, 8, and Daniel E. Jamison, 10, from drowning, DeWitt, Nebraska, July 2, 1956. While wading in shallow water over a road inundated by muddy flood waters from the Big Blue River, Todd and Daniel stepped off the road into deep water over a drainage basin 50 feet in diameter and were submerged briefly. Daniel, a very poor swimmer, and Todd, who could not swim, struggled to remain afloat but were submerged intermittently as the current slowly carried them six feet from the road. Their cries for help attracted Gerdes. Although he never had learned to swim, Gerdes jumped fully clothed into the deep water. He was submerged briefly five feet from the boys, his boots filling with water. Intending to thrust the boys toward wadable water, he lunged to a position between Todd and Daniel, who then were in water eight feet deep. Both boys grasped Gerdes but released their holds as all briefly sank beneath the surface, where Gerdes kicked off his boots. Gerdes, Todd, and Daniel floundered separately as they drifted with the current, submerging intermittently. Marvin L. Coates, his brother, Dale L., and their 13-year-old nephew, all good swimmers, were attracted. Marvin dived into the deep water fully clothed except for shoes. He swam to Todd, who with Daniel and Gerdes then was 15 feet from the road in water seven feet deep. Both Todd and Gerdes grasped Marvin and forced him beneath the surface as he took hold of Todd. Marvin broke free of Gerdes but maintained his hold on Todd as he surfaced beside Daniel. Taking hold of Daniel’s arm, Marvin supported both boys as Gerdes floundered at the surface beside him. Meanwhile Dale had entered the water fully clothed except for shoes and had swum to the persons in the water 15 feet from the road. After taking Daniel from Marvin and breaking free of Gerdes, who had grasped him for support, Dale began towing Daniel toward the road as Marvin swam alongside, towing Todd. Gerdes lunged after them and, grasping the shirts of Marvin and Dale, was towed six feet. He released his holds, submerged briefly, and surfaced eight feet from the nephew, who had remained in the shallow water on the road. Thrusting with his arms and legs, Gerdes reached the extended hand of the nephew, who aided him in reaching shallow water as Marvin and Dale reached the edge of the road, towing Todd and Daniel. After thrusting the boys to shallow water, Marvin and Dale also secured footing on the roadway. All were nervous but recovered. 44165-4118
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