Jay Van Conner died attempting to save Isaiah P. Conner from drowning, Chattanooga, Tennessee, October 5, 1997. Isaiah, 3, was fishing with his grandmother and other family members from barges moored along the bank of the Tennessee River when he fell into the water. Fishing nearby, his uncle, Conner, 22, laborer, immediately responded. Conner dived into the river, swam to Isaiah, and started to take him to safety. Conner began to struggle in the water, then yelled for help and pushed Isaiah toward the bank. Both Conner and Isaiah submerged. Boaters responding to the scene located and recovered Conner then attempted resuscitation, but he could not be revived and was pronounced dead of drowning after being taken to a hospital. Isaiah likewise was found by boaters. He too was taken to a hospital, but he also died of drowning, several hours later.
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