Javier Cortés helped to save Jonathan Flores from drowning, Astoria, New York, April 14, 2003. Jonathan, 5, fell into the East River from the bank and was swept by the very strong current toward a power plant on the bank in that vicinity. Nearby, Cortés, 33, learned of the situation and responded to a pier on the premises of the plant, where a ladder provided access to the river. After another man entered the river and encountered difficulty in the current, Cortés descended the ladder to the water and, despite its 42-degree temperature, swam to Jonathan, who was floating face down about 20 feet out. Cortés secured Jonathan and attempted to return to the pier. Men on the pier threw a life ring to them, then, as they were swept farther along, one end of an electrical cord. Cortés held to the cord until responding police personnel removed him and Jonathan, and the other man, from the river. They all required hospital treatment, Cortés sustaining mild hypothermia and scrapes and bruises. He recovered.
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