John W. Donnell attempted to save Richard E. Haas and Lavonne G. Haas from drowning, Dayton, Ohio, May 4, 1947. A motorboat in which Haas, 27, factory supervisor, and his wife Lavonne, 24, were riding on the Miami River swamped and sank. Mrs. Haas put on a life jacket, and she and her husband holding to each other were carried by a current of two and a half m.p.h. in muddy, choppy, and cold water 16 feet deep toward a submerged dam which caused swells 18 inches high below it. Donnell, 21, apprentice plumber, and his brother Joseph ran 375 feet to a point opposite Haas and his wife, who were 75 feet from the bank; and Donnell dived and swam 300 feet with the current to them. Haas told him to return to the bank and get a boat, but Donnell took hold of Haas when all were within 50 feet of the dam, and they were carried over it. Donnell was submerged three times and swallowed water. After drifting 50 feet in the rough water, Donnell, believing he was too tired to give further immediate aid and that the couple could remain at the surface with the life-jacket, swam 100 feet with the current to the bank, intending to get aid. Joseph meanwhile swam 150 feet with the current to Haas and his wife, who by then had drifted 300 feet below the dam and within 65 feet of the bank, in water 12 feet deep. Taking hold of Haas, Joseph swam towing Haas and his wife 150 feet with the current to the bank. Haas and his wife were chilled, nervous, and exhausted. Donnell was chilled, nervous, and tired and suffered nausea for several hours. 41312-3539
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