Bryan T. Verdeur saved Kyle J. Lawver from drowning, Avon, North Carolina, August 8, 2004. Kyle, 14, was swimming in shallow water of the Atlantic Ocean with his father when they were caught by a current and swept far out, into deeper water. They shouted for help as they struggled to remain afloat. Verdeur, 20, auto body technician, was on the beach in the vicinity with his brother and another man. Despite rough surf conditions, including high breakers, that were the result of a hurricane passing days earlier, Verdeur entered the water and swam to Kyle and his father, who were then about 300 feet from shore. Kyle, supported by his father, who was submerged, grasped Verdeur about the neck and submerged him. Verdeur’s brother also had entered the water, as did the other man, and arrived about then. He secured a hold on Kyle’s father as Verdeur grasped Kyle around the chest and swam back to shore with him, the current forcing them on a diagonal course. Verdeur removed Kyle to safety as his brother and the other man returned Kyle’s father. Kyle and his father were taken to the hospital, where they were treated for effects of their ordeal; they recovered. Verdeur was winded, but he too recovered.
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