Asa R. Johnston saved Ezra B. Merkley from drowning, Jensen, Utah, July 25, 1934. While wading in Green River, Ezra, 9, stepped over a ledge into water eight feet deep, was momentarily submerged, threshed, and called for help. Ezra’s 12-year-old brother swam 20 feet to him and was grabbed. Both were momentarily submerged in a struggle, but Ezra’s brother broke Ezra’s hold and swam to wadable water. During the struggle they had drifted to a point 10 feet from wadable water. Asa, 12, schoolboy, swam 35 feet to Ezra and took hold of him. After a struggle in which both were submerged, Asa pushed his knees against Ezra’s stomach and broke the hold. They rose two feet apart. Asa then took hold of Ezra and swam 25 feet to wadable water. Ezra then was aided to the bank by his brother.
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