Jordan Daniel Nixon helped attempt to save Barbara D. Clement, David Matthew Elton, and Brodie MacDonald from drowning, Shelter Cove, California, March 25, 2000. Ms. Clement, 45, who was chaperoning a group of high school students hiking a remote trail along a beach of the Pacific Ocean, was struck by a wave, knocked from her feet, and carried toward the surf by the very swift backwash. Two of the students, David and Brodie, both 17, immediately dropped their backpacks and ran to Ms. Clement, who was struggling to regain her footing. Those students were last seen on either side of Ms. Clement when a large wave broke over them and took them into the surf. Another of the students, Jordan, 17, and another of the chaperones ran toward them, but they too were overtaken by the backwash and were swept into the ocean and carried seaward by a strong current. Fishing boats responded to the scene and removed Jordan, Ms. Clement, and the other chaperone from the 48-degree water, one of the fishermen single-handedly having to penetrate deeply the area of 12-foot breakers for the other chaperone, who was nearer shore. Jordan was taken to the hospital, where he was detained overnight for treatment of having nearly drowned and hypothermia. He recovered. Ms. Clement and the first two students drowned, but the other chaperone recovered, also after hospital treatment.
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