John J. Echevarria, 38, auxiliary operator of power plant, saved Byron R. Hadley, 6, from drowning, American Falls, Idaho, May 28, 1955. Byron toppled into deep water in the Snake River and drifted rapidly toward a power plant dam, where the water was being drawn by turbines through submerged openings. Echevarria ran 200 feet to the top of a low wall adjoining the bank and dived into the water simultaneously with Byron’s father. As they swam cross current and approached to within six feet of Byron, he sank 40 feet from the bank and 35 feet upstream from the nearest turbine opening. Unobserved by Echevarria, the father swam underwater to Byron but could not lift him to the surface. Echevarria, who could feel the strong pull of the current downward toward the turbine openings, continued to where Byron had submerged, sighted him six inches below the surface, and got hold of him. Forcibly tugging upward, he drew Byron’s head above water, the father losing his hold. Clasping Byron against his side, Echevarria towed him to the wall, where they were aided from the water by another man. The father safely reached the wall and was assisted onto it. Byron was dazed, and Echevarria was tired and winded. Both recovered. 43491-4011
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