Dustin S. Chapman saved William D. Latvala from drowning, Dallas, Oregon, March 30, 1999. Walking on the sidewalk of a bridge spanning Rickreall Creek, Latvala, 47, was struck by a vehicle and knocked into the creek. Unconscious, he was washed downstream by the swift current of the creek, which was swollen from recent rains. Men running along the bank following Latvala attracted the attention of Dustin, 17, high school student, who was in his family’s home on the bank. Dustin too ran along the creek, following Latvala, then he ran ahead of him and waded into the water to catch him. Although the creek was for the most part wadable, the current prevented Dustin from maintaining a position, and he was moved downstream. When Latvala came into view, Dustin moved to him, catching him closer to the opposite bank. Two men who had followed Latvala were on that bank, and after Dustin moved toward them with Latvala, swimming as needed, the men pulled them from the water. Dustin and one of the men revived Latvala with cardiopulmonary resuscitation, then Latvala was taken to the hospital, where he was detained for treatment of hypothermia and injuries sustained when he was struck by the vehicle. Dustin was cold but uninjured.
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