Jared J. Champayne helped to save Catherine A. Hamlin from drowning, Muskegon, Michigan, August 3, 2009. Hamlin, 41, was wading in Lake Michigan when she was pulled away from shore by a very strong current. Struggling to return to the beach but making no progress against the current and five-foot waves breaking over her, she shouted for help. Champayne, 23, was swimming with a friend closer to shore in that vicinity. Hearing Hamlin call out for help, he swam to her, reaching her at a point about 200 feet from shore. He grasped Hamlin by an arm and supported her until his friend arrived soon and grasped her other arm. The men struggled against the current and waves in their efforts to reach shore, Champayne’s friend submerging to push Hamlin from behind in their attempts. Once able to touch the lake bottom, Champayne and his friend walked Hamlin to the beach, where she collapsed. Hamlin and her rescuers were tired and winded, but they recovered.
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