Joey Charles Barnett helped to save Steven M. Clanton from drowning, Fort Pierce, Florida, May 21, 1989. Playing in the Atlantic Ocean, Steven, 10, was carried away from shore by a current. He called for help. Walking on the beach nearby, Barnett, 34, college student, waded and swam to Steven. He told Steven to float on his back, then grasped him and began to swim to shore, towing him. A struggle ensued, and Barnett was submerged. He and Steven drifted apart. Having swallowed seawater and becoming nearly exhausted, Barnett was rescued by a man who had swum out to him with a raft. Thus taken to wadable water, Barnett was dragged onto the beach. Steven, meanwhile, swam and was helped to shore by others. Both were taken to the hospital; Steven was not injured, but Barnett was detained for eight days for complications of having nearly drowned arose. He recovered in about two weeks.
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