Catharina Rowley saved a girl from drowning, Cambria, California, June 28, 2008. A 12-year-old girl was jumping large waves at a Pacific Ocean beach when she was knocked off her feet and carried out from shore. A man entered the water and reached her but was unable to return to shore with her. They shouted for help. In another party at the beach, Rowley, 33, notary, became aware of the situation. She entered the 55-degree water and swam to the victims, who were then nearly submerged at a point about 150 feet from shore. When Rowley grasped the man by his arms, he and the girl latched on to her and struggled against her, submerging her repeatedly. Rowley freed herself and then established a hold on the girl and began to swim back to shore, towing her, the man behind them. After a laborious swim, Rowley reached wadable water, where she helped the girl to her feet. They left the water, as did the man. Both the girl and the man were taken to the hospital for observation, but they were not injured. Tired, Rowley sustained scratches and swallowed water during the rescue, and she recovered.
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