Brian J. Firkal died helping to save Trevor M. Rill from drowning, Ocean City, Maryland, September 27, 2003. Trevor, 11, was swimming in the Atlantic Ocean with a boogie board when he was carried away from shore by a strong current. He became separated from the board and shouted for help. Firkal, 27, teacher, was wading along the beach when he was alerted to the situation. He entered the water and swam to Trevor, who was then about 400 feet out. Another man had reached Trevor and attempted to return with him to shore, but they had made no progress against the current. Firkal joined them, and the three held to each other before becoming separated in the water. Firkal was carried away. The other man and Trevor swam from the current and then to shore. Firkal was removed from the water shortly by a rescue boat. He died of drowning.
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