Anthony John Rista saved Mary E. O’Connor from drowning, Westlake Village, California, November 24, 1976. When her two-door sedan was involved in an accident, Mrs. O’Connor, 77, was rendered unconscious, and the automobile plunged into a lake, where it sank in water about 12 feet deep. Among those attracted was Anthony, 16, high school student, who swam to where the sedan had gone under. On his third dive, after failing to open a door, Anthony entered the sedan through the partially-lowered window. He located Mrs. O’Connor and tried to push her through the window opening but she became stuck. By shoving very hard, Anthony got Mrs. O’Connor out of the sedan and, following, swam to the surface with her. Mrs. O’Connor was taken aboard a boat that had arrived. She was revived, and she recovered fully after being hospitalized about three weeks. 55521-6324
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