Darrius W. Bumpus saved Gloria Alamos and helped to save Celia Reyes and Otilia Cintron from drowning, Miami, Florida, June 30, 1963. A four-door sedan containing eight persons moved backward down the bank of the Tamiami Canal and entered deep water, where it began to sink slowly as it drifted toward midstream. Arriving at the scene, Bumpus, 30, aircraft mechanic, removed his shirt and shoes, entered the canal, and swam 25 feet to Miss Alamos, 22, who had emerged from the sinking automobile and was flailing wildly. She grasped him, causing both to be submerged. Bumpus broke away, but she grasped him again as they surfaced. He drew Miss Alamos onto her back and towed her to the bank. The driver and a 13-year-old male passenger, meanwhile, had aided three other women from the vehicle. Bumpus re-entered the water and swam 30 feet to two of them, Mrs. Reyes, 62, and Mrs. Cintron, 33, who had been submerged briefly several times during a struggle. He took hold of Mrs. Cintron and supported her, but Mrs. Reyes sank again. With Mrs. Cintron holding to his shoulder, Bumpus found footing atop the completely submerged automobile. Mrs. Reyes grasped Mrs. Cintron and drew herself to the surface. Feeling the sedan sink from under him, Bumpus trod water with Mrs. Cintron clinging to one shoulder and took hold of Mrs. Reyes, who grasped his other shoulder. A man who had entered the canal and saved two of the other victims swam 35 feet to them. Mrs. Reyes grasped that rescuer, causing both to be submerged. He broke free, surfaced with her, and began towing her to the bank. Fearing that Bumpus was too exhausted to aid her, Mrs. Cintron released him and held to Mrs. Reyes. The other rescuer towed both women to the bank as Bumpus followed.
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