Bill Hill helped to save Martha E. Jackson from drowning, Carmel, California, February 2, 1967. When she stepped into deep water while wading at the mouth of the Carmel River, Mrs. Jackson, 26, was submerged and carried by strong undercurrents into a cove of the Pacific Ocean, where she surfaced but continued to be swept seaward. Her husband ran to get help. Among those arriving at the scene was Hill, 21, student, who volunteered to go to Mrs. Jackson and try to support her until other help arrived. Although warned of the danger because the water was cold and very turbulent, Hill undressed to his undershorts and with a surfboard proceeded to Mrs. Jackson, who then was treading water 30 feet deep, 675 feet from shore. As the board alternately rose and fell, Mrs. Jackson clung to one end while Hill held to the other. He urged her to kick to help him in keeping them from being swept against rocks about 350 feet away. Despite their efforts, they had drifted to within 200 feet of the rocks by the time a rescue team arrived. Three men wearing rubber suits, swim fins, and life jackets made their way on surfboards to Hill and Mrs. Jackson, both of whom were badly chilled by that time. A life jacket was put on Mrs. Jackson and she was held on a surfboard by Hill and the others. As they moved the board farther from the rocks, Hill suffered a severe leg cramp. A helicopter arrived and lowered a sling by which Hill and Mrs. Jackson were taken aboard. They were removed to a hospital, treated for exposure, and recovered. 49421-5351
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