Francis J. Sheppard helped to save Wade McDonald from drowning, Emo, Ontario, May 25, 1974. Wade, 3, was alone in the front seat. of an automobile when it entered the Rainy River and began submerging. Francis, 15, high school student, entered the cold water without delaying to remove any of his attire and, despite the very swift current, swam to the sinking automobile, which by then was 50 feet from the bank. Reaching through an open rear window, Francis with some difficulty removed Wade from the vehicle, which had begun tilting toward him as it continued drifting in deep water. Francis began towing Wade but, feeling tired, stopped to rest a short distance from the automobile, which then submerged completely. When he was still some distance from the bank, Francis called to onlookers that he did not think he could make it. A man swam to them and then towed Wade the rest of the way as Francis followed.
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