David Walker helped to save Donald W. Hutchinson from drowning, Concordia, Kansas, April 15, 1987. Hutchinson, 64, drove across a bridge spanning Buffalo Creek, which had flooded the area. A swift current pushed his vehicle off the road and into deeper water, where it began to sink. From a distance, Walker, 25, farm laborer, and another man had been watching Hutchinson cross; when he disappeared from view, they went to the scene and saw that his vehicle was almost submerged. Although he was a poor swimmer, Walker dived into the creek and, struggling against the current, swam 30 feet to the vehicle. With an ax thrown by the other man, Walker broke the vehicle’s rear window, reached inside, and pulled Hutchinson out. The other man then threw a rope to Walker, and Walker tied it to Hutchinson’s waist. The other man pulled Hutchinson to dry land, then threw the rope to Walker and pulled him in, as well. Hutchinson and Walker were chilled and exhausted, but they recovered.
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