Kent Hamilton Broom, 12, schoolboy, saved Matthew J. Podniesinski, 6, from drowning, Middleport, New York, February 10, 1965. Matthew, who could not swim, walked to the edge of an ice shelf along the bank of a flooded creek and fell into the water. As the current carried him downstream in water containing chunks of ice as much as three feet in diameter, he called for help. Kent made a running jump and landed in the creek about 10 feet from the bank in water over his head. Matthew was carried to Kent, who took hold of him around the chest from behind. As the current carried them downstream, Kent managed to swim to within five feet of the bank but could get no closer. He grasped a branch of an overhanging bush, but it broke off. Kent supported Matthew as they were swept downstream. The current carried them against another ice shelf at the bank, and Kent on his second attempt obtained a hold on it. He had swum and drifted about 100 feet with Matthew. He boosted Matthew onto the firm ice and then climbed out. They walked across the ice shelf to the bank.
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