Christopher Hess saved Corey Baxter from drowning, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 19, 2008. Corey, 6, was in a car that left a parking area and dropped from a wall into the Schuylkill River. It sank to the floor of the river in water about 12 feet deep at a point about 15 feet from the bank. Hess, 28, project engineer, responded to the bank from nearby and learned that Corey was in the river. Seeing bubbles at the surface of the water, he removed his shoes and shirt, jumped into the river, and in repeated dives searched the murky water for Corey. Only then learning that Corey was in a submerged vehicle, Hess dived again, located the car, and opened its driver’s door. After surfacing for air, he submerged again, entered the car, and found Corey in the front passenger seat. Hess grasped Corey underneath the arms and backed out of the car and surfaced with him. A marine police officer who had arrived by boat attempted to revive Corey and then took him to the bank. Corey was taken to the hospital for treatment. Hess was returned to the bank by police boat, and he too was taken to the hospital, where he was treated for lacerations to both hands. He recovered.
81320 – 9257
81320-9257