Keith G. Smedema saved a woman from drowning, Indianapolis, Indiana, February 7, 2013. Smedema, 53, air traffic control instructor, was bicycling along the bank of the White River when he became aware of a woman floundering in the river at a point about 150 feet from that bank. He went onto a bridge at the scene to a point above the woman and ascertained that she needed help. Directing others to call 911, Smedema climbed over the bridge railing and, fully clothed, jumped 30 feet into the river, despite not knowing its depth there. The 45-degree water momentarily taking his breath away, Smedema swam to the woman, grasped her, and then found that they were in water about four feet deep. As the nearer bank comprised a wall that was inaccessible, Smedema secured his footing and held to the woman until firefighters responded in a rescue boat from the opposite bank several minutes later. Firefighters took Smedema and the woman to the bank, and each was taken by ambulance to a hospital. Smedema was cold, numbed, and bruised, but he fully recovered.
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