Cuong Trong Hoang helped to save Jimmy Lam from drowning, Haleiwa, Hawaii, November 9, 1997. Jimmy, 9, and two other boys were swimming in wadable water off a Pacific Ocean beach when a large wave broke over them and they were then pulled farther from shore into deeper water. Yelling for help, they attracted the attention of people on shore, including Hoang, 23, delivery truck driver, who was fishing. Hoang immediately entered the water and swam toward the boys. He grasped Jimmy and held him up. As Jimmy struggled against him, Hoang threw him toward shore, and Jimmy made his way to safety, as did the two other boys. Hoang, however, was pulled farther out and tired from his efforts to swim back to shore. Rescue personnel arrived and recovered him, then lifted him to shore by helicopter. He was treated at the scene, then was admitted to the hospital in serious condition for having nearly drowned. He was detained overnight, and he recovered.
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