James Edward Collard died attempting to save Clyde L. Kesner, Sr., from drowning, Monterey, California, April 20, 1969. When his boat capsized in Monterey Bay 225 feet from shore, Kesner, 62, retired commercial fisherman, was thrown into the water where breakers 15 feet high moved toward the beach and undercurrents flowed seaward. Collard, 29, police officer, witnessed the accident from shore. He removed some of his attire and entered the heavy surf, where debris from the overturned boat was being washed toward the beach while Kesner was being carried away from it. Collard overtook Kesner about 300 feet from shore and took hold of him. A wave then struck them; and both men were drowned. Their bodies later were recovered by persons using lifesaving aids.
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