Joshua James Squibb died attempting to save Krystle M. McCord and Amelia E. Johnson from drowning, Long Beach, Washington, June 3, 2000. Krystle, 12, and Amelia, 13, were playing in the waves of the Pacific Ocean near shore when a very strong current, thought to be a rip, swept them farther out and prevented them from returning. On the beach, Squibb, 25, carpenter, became aware of their situation. He ran to the water, then waded and swam about 300 feet to the girls. Reaching Krystle, he told her to float on her back, and he provided other encouragement. He then swam to Amelia, who was a short distance away, and assured her as she held onto him. Squibb and Amelia then became separated, and Squibb was swept farther out. Krystle floated out of the current and made her way back to safety. A fish and wildlife officer and a rescue swimmer entered the water and took Amelia to the beach. She and Krystle were given oxygen there, and they required no other treatment. Squibb was seen in the distance for a time but then disappeared. His body washed ashore three days later about four miles from the scene. He had drowned.
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