Marlin A. Coats died helping to save two boys from drowning, San Francisco, California, May 14, 2006. Two boys, ages 14 and 11, were swimming in the Pacific Ocean when they were pulled away from shore by a current. Coats, 29, store manager, was in another party nearby on the beach when they heard the boys shout for help. Coats removed his shoes and entered the 54-degree water. He swam out to the older boy and helped him toward shore, and that boy left the water. Coats turned back for the other boy, who was farther out. Others entered the water, including two lifeguards who had been alerted. Finding that Coats had submerged, the lifeguards pulled him to the surface of the water and placed him on a rescue board. They returned him and the other boy to shore. Coats and both boys were taken to the hospital for treatment, but Coats could not be revived, as he had died of drowning.
79383 – 9097
79383-9097