John Joseph Wasyl, Jr., attempted to help save Jack Speer from drowning, Dexter, Michigan, March 6, 1974. Speer, 24, was thrown from a canoe into deep water in the flood-swollen Huron River and, 30 feet from the bank, managed to grasp the end of a projecting limb of a large tree but could not move along it because of the very strong current at his back. Among persons attracted was Wasyl, 34, automobile plant foreman, who entered the cold water and made his way along the limb to Speer, followed by another man. As he attempted to aid Speer, Wasyl lost his hold on the limb and was swept downstream. He reached a bend in.the river and was able to swim to the bank. Speer was removed from the water by the other man with help from persons who formed a human chain. 54195-6140
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54195-6140