George W. White saved Russell W. Hubbard from drowning, Spokane, Washington, May 15, 1964. When Hubbard, 15, tried to swim across a wide flooded creek, the cold water caused him to become winded. Gasping for breath, he was submerged briefly in water seven feet deep and called for help as he drifted toward the Spokane River 150 feet away, where the current was very swift. White, 70, retired laundryman, who suffered with arthritis and was partially blind in one eye, entered the water fully clothed, including heavy shoes. Hubbard was submerged briefly two more times and then gained precarious footing on a submerged rock, where he stood in water to his mouth and flailed his arms. White swam 60 feet diagonally across the current and reached Hubbard. Cautioning him not to struggle, White took hold of Hubbard by the arm and began towing him back to the bank. Hubbard was nearly exhausted. After towing him 65 feet, White reached the bank with Hubbard and there forced water from him. Hubbard then started to walk home but collapsed. He was removed to a hospital, where he recovered.
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