Arthur A. Somlitz saved Duane K. and Thomas E. McMath and attempted to save Thomas A. McMath from drowning, Sharpsville, Pennsylvania, June 23, 1965. Fully clothed, McKath, 34, metal chipper, went to the aid of his sons, Duane, 9, and Thomas, 11, who were wading in the Shenango River and had stepped into water eight feet deep in a hole 30 feet in diameter. He reached Duane 35 feet from the bank and within 15 feet of Thomas, who had swum to a submerged rock and was standing on it in water to his chest. McMath started to tow Duane toward the bank but suddenly released him, sank several times, and then remained submerged. Somlitz, 36, truck driver, was fishing downstream and ran 90 feet to opposite Duane, who was flailing wildly. Feeling he did not have time to remove his jacket or his waders, which were held up by shoulder straps, Somlitz waded into the river and stepped into the hole. The water poured into his waders, and he could not raise his legs to a swimming position. His waders and his wet jacket impeded him greatly as he swam erect 25 feet and reached Duane. Gasping for breath, Somlitz with great effort towed Duane to the bank. He removed his jacket and waders and returned to where he had reached Duane. He probed with his feet and located McMath, who was floating inert beneath the surface. Somlitz lifted him part way with his foot and then drew him to the surface. With great effort he towed McMath to the bank and began artificial respiration. Others arrived and took over, while Somlitz waded and swam 50 feet to Thomas, who still was on the submerged rock. By the time he had towed Thomas to the bank, Somlitz was nearly exhausted. McNath could not be revived.
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