Louis Daniels, Jr., 47, copper mold dresser, died attempting to save George Ramos, 8, from drowning, Lincroft, New Jersey, June 25, 1967. George and his 9-year-old brother, neither of whom could swim, fell from a bridge abutment into a reservoir and were submerged briefly in water four feet deep. They flailed wildly, their struggles moving them farther from the abutment and into deeper water as they were submerged intermittently. Although she could not swim, the mother of the boys jumped into the water but lost her footing and began floundering. Daniels ran to the abutment and entered the water without removing any of his attire. The father of the boys also jumped into the water, as did two other men who could swim. The three men removed George’s brother and his mother from the water, while Daniels waded and swam to where George had disappeared beneath the surface seven feet from the abutment. Daniels appeared to probe the turbid water, which was six and a half feet deep, and he then submerged. He surfaced, flailing and gasping for breath. Daniels again reached underwater and again was submerged. Once more he returned to the surface, where he flailed and seemed to be attempting to kick. His daughter extended a fishing pole, but it did not reach Daniels, who was gasping and appeared to be having difficulty staying at the surface. His actions moved him farther away. Daniels flailed violently and then sank 10 feet from the abutment. He did not reappear. Police were summoned. Divers recovered the bodies of George, and Daniels near each other in deep water 50 feet from the abutment.
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