Charles McLeod Duncan, 11, schoolboy, helped to save Jared O. Betts, 63, clergyman, from drowning, Ocean Falls, British Columbia, May 20, 1968. While fishing in a stream near its junction with Cousins Inlet, Betts fell into the cold water and was swept into the inlet, where he barely was able to stay afloat because of his wet clothing and water-filled boots. He called for help, attracting Charles and his younger brother, Keith Forsyth Duncan. They ran to the top of a vertical rock bank rising four feet above the water and saw Betts go under. Charles, who was wearing boots, entered the inlet and swam 30 feet to where the hand of Betts had just disappeared beneath the surface. Charles drew Betts, who greatly outweighed him, to the surface and tried without success to tow him toward the bank. Deciding to aid, Keith then dived into the water without removing his boots and swam to Charles and Betts. Together the two brothers towed Betts 30 feet to the rock bank. By then all three were chilled and tired. Charles maintained his hold on Betts and at the same time boosted Keith, but the latter could not reach the top of the bank. Charles then told Keith to thrust his knife into a fissure in the rock to obtain purchase. Keith did so and, with the blade firmly wedged in the bank two feet above the water, held to the knife with both hands. Betts then held to Keith; and Charles, by a hold on Keith’s hands around the knife, was able to climb out of the water. Betts then obtained a hold on Keith’s hands and raised himself enough to place one knee on a narrow ledge. From atop the bank Charles aided Betts in climbing out of the water. Charles and Betts then drew Keith to the top of the bank.
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