Daniel Mark Creger

Daniel Mark Creger, 10, schoolboy, died attempting to save Patricia J. Dickens, 8, from drowning, Grand Junction, Colorado, October 24, 1965. From a plank across a canal 25 feet wide, Patricia fell into water beyond her depth. She screamed for help. Daniel, who was on the bank, shouted that he would save her and lunged fully clothed into the cool water. He swam after Patricia as the current carried her to the middle of the canal. Daniel was submerged briefly. Patricia was carried downstream toward a bridge. She looked back and saw Daniel following. As she was swept under the bridge, Patricia lost consciousness. A man entered the water and swam to her. By that time Daniel was not in sight. The man towed Patricia to the bank and revived her. The body of Daniel later was recovered about 3,000 feet downstream.