Joseph P. Witzel died attempting to save Anastasio Castro from drowning, Leroy, Texas, June 25, 1966. Castro, 15, who could not swim, was wading in a farm pond while holding to a leaking rowboat. When the water became too deep for wading, Castro held to the side of the boat, which the wind moved to 90 feet from the bank. The boat sank; and Castro called for help as he struggled to stay afloat but was submerged intermittently. Witzel, 16, schoolboy, who was on the bank, removed his shoes and dived into the water. He swam rapidly to Castro, who was flailing wildly. Castro grasped Witzel around the neck, causing them to be submerged in water eight feet deep. They surfaced together with Castro’s arms still around the neck of Witzel. After a brief struggle, both sank again with Castro still clinging to Witzel. Neither returned to the surface. Their bodies later were recovered.
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