Donnie Gene Hammitte died attempting to save Robert M. Clark and Clarence J. Ashby, Jr., from drowning, Monroe, Michigan, July 9, 1973. Robert, 12, and Clarence, 13, were washed over a low dam in the Raisin River and then were submerged intermittently by a churning current. Among those attracted was Hammitte, 32, welder, who removed his shirt and shoes and waded out onto the dam. He then jumped into the deep water below the dam, landing between the boys. Clarence sank and drowned. Hammitte supported Robert briefly before they were submerged. When they reappeared, they were apart; and the churning water caused them to go under intermittently. A police patrolman entered the water to aid. Robert sank and drowned. The patrolman took Hammitte to wadable water, from where he was removed to the bank. Hammitte could not be revived.
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