Arjuna D. N. Babapulle died helping to save Juanita Babapulle from drowning, Yosemite National Park, California, October 18, 1997. Ms. Babapulle, 22, was at the edge of Emerald Pool of the Merced River while hiking when she slipped into the very cold water and could not regain her footing. Attempting to reach her, her husband, Babapulle, 29, electrical engineer, entered the pool. A nonswimmer, Babapulle grasped his wife and pushed her toward the bank but then ended up farther from it, where he struggled to stay afloat in deep water. Others at the scene pulled Ms. Babapulle from the water by means of a rope. They attempted to rescue Babapulle in like fashion, but he submerged. He was removed from the water several minutes later but could not be revived; he drowned. Ms. Babapulle recovered from scratches and bruises.
72166 – 8243
72166-8243