Mark White saved Sally Swanson from drowning, Santa Clarita, California, February 10, 1992. Mrs. Swanson, 54, was driving across the Sand Canyon flood control channel, which was flooded, when her van stalled. She exited the vehicle to leave the wash, but the current proved too swift for her and the cold water soon exhausted her in her attempt to swim to the bank. A resident of the vicinity, Mark, 17, high school student, was watching the floodwaters when he saw Mrs. Swanson being swept downstream. He ran along the wash to a point ahead of her, then entered the water and positioned himself to seize her. When Mrs. Swanson approached, Mark grabbed and heldh er, but he was knocked off his feet. Both he and Mrs. Swanson were pulled downstream about 150 feet before Mark succeeded in grabbing a branch overhanging the bank of the wash. He pulled Mrs. Swanson and himself out of the wash, then, after resting, carried her to a nearby residence from which she was flown to a hospital. Exhausted, Mrs. Swanson suffered hypothermia, multiple bruises, and cuts, but she recovered. Mark was tired and cold, and he too recovered.
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