Hector H. Sanchez saved Kenneth H. Clark from drowning, Rockaway Beach, California, March 16, 1972. While frolicking in surf in the Pacific Ocean, Kenneth, 16, high-school student, was caught by an undertow and carried away from shore. He called for help. Sanchez, 31, graduate student, entered the cold water and swam diagonally through the ebbing tidal current and the undertow amid breakers as much as eight feet high. He reached Kenneth in deep water 560 feet from shore. Sanchez, his limbs becoming numb from the cold water, began towing Kenneth shoreward. The heavy surf and strong currents forced them toward a rocky promontory. Exerting great effort to avoid the rocks, Sanchez towed Kenneth to within 60 feet of shore. By then both were nearly exhausted; but they reached shore after a fire department rescue squad member met them with life preservers.
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