John V. Osburn, 47, ironworker foreman, saved George Foster, 50, carpenter, from drowning, Estacada, Oregon, December 11, 1958. When he fell from the top of a steep rocky cliff surrounding a large semi-circular pool in an indentation of the bank of the Clackamas River, Foster struck his head on the rocks and landed in the cold water, which was uniformly 22 feet deep throughout the pool. He attempted to swim to the bank but lost consciousness and was carried by the current toward the main channel of the river, where the water moved in foamy rapids over a rock strewn bed. Removing only his jacket and hat, Osburn, who had not swum in five years, dived into the pool from a ledge 10 feet above the water. He swam 30 feet to Foster and obtained a hold on him but, impeded by his clothing and heavy boots, was unable to tow him across the current. As Osburn and Foster were carried toward the river, a plank which another man had thrown into the water drifted to them. Osburn worked the plank between them and supported Foster across it as they were carried 110 feet farther to within three feet of the rapids. Other men on the bank then succeeded in throwing one end of a rope to Osburn. Maintaining his hold on Foster, Osburn grasped the rope; and both men were drawn 35 feet to the bank. Foster was hospitalized five days. Osburn was numbed by the cold water. Both recovered. 44585-4313
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44585-4313