John Clark, Sr., saved Verland L. Miller from drowning, Cincinnati, Ohio, June 1, 1961. Verland, 8, ventured onto a sewer pipe extending across a pond 100 feet wide and fell into deep water, where he called for help as he alternately rose and sank. Clark, railroad car inspection supervisor, and another man ran 375 feet to the pond and then 55 feet farther atop the pipe seven feet above the water to opposite Verland. Verland then sank three feet from the pipe, which was 15 feet in diameter. Although breathing heavily from running, Clark jumped into the water fully clothed and wearing heavy work shoes. Seeing Verland beneath the surface, Clark held his breath and submerged. He put one arm around the waist of Verland, who still was floundering. Verland grasped Clark around the neck and also impeded his swimming by holding one of his arms. Clark surfaced with Verland, feeling dizzy. Seeking a handhold on the pipe, he cut his arm badly on a protruding reinforcing rod. After being submerged twice while maintaining his hold on Verland, Clark was badly winded and very tired. He again tried to secure a handhold, sustaining additional cuts. Others arrived and lowered a man headfirst over the side of the pipe while holding him by his legs. Clark held to one hand of the man, who swung Verland upward to the others. They then pulled the man upward, drawing Clark onto the pipe. Verland had swallowed much water. Clark was bleeding badly and was greatly fatigued. Both recovered.
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