David J. Williams saved Patrick J. P. Berry from drowning, Tampa, Florida, March 18, 1959. Patrick, 8, fell from a wall into water six feet deep in a drainage pit, where he submerged intermittently as he flailed his arms wildly. David, 15, schoolboy, who was a poor swimmer, descended the bank of the pit and, with difficulty because of his attire which included heavy leather boots, waded and swam seven feet to Patrick who then was in water 10 feet deep. Patrick threw both arms about David’s neck, forcing both boys beneath the surface, where each swallowed some water. Patrick released his hold on David, and they returned to the surface. David trod water with effort because of his boots, and with difficulty he pushed Patrick a few feet at a time to the bank, where a woman pulled him from the water. By then his boots had caused David, who still was in water beyond his depth, to sink to his eyes. Holding his breath, David submerged and attempted to remove his boots, his efforts carrying him away from the bank. A man arrived and, seeing David then floating inert beneath the surface, obtained an eight-foot board, which had a nail protruding from the end, and with it he managed to hook David’s belt. The man drew David to the bank, where he revived.
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