Nicole M. Autilio helped to save Mary L. Ciaramitaro from drowning, Revere, Massachusetts, October 13, 2010. Ciaramitaro, 58, was the passenger in an automobile that in a highway accident left the roadway, went down a rocky embankment, and entered Diamond Creek. The vehicle began to submerge as it was carried away by a tidal current. Other motorists, including Autilio, 36, stopped at the scene. Shouting to Ciaramitaro to get out of the car, she ran down the embankment but lost her footing and fell, striking her face on rocks. Despite that, and her limited swimming ability, Autilio entered the water and swam about 150 feet toward the car. Ciaramitaro, meanwhile, crawled out of the vehicle, which then submerged, and struggled to stay afloat in the cold, murky water. Another motorist entered the creek and swam out, and he reached Ciaramitaro just after Autilio. Autilio and the other motorist held Ciaramitaro by her hands and swam against the tidal current toward the bank. As they proceeded, Autilio brushed against a submerged sandbar, and the three were able to stand atop it to await help. Responding firefighters took Ciaramitaro to the bank and then returned for Autilio and the other motorist. Divers located the car and recovered the body of the driver. Ciaramitaro, Autilio, and the other motorist all required hospitalization for treatment of ill effects sustained in the accident and rescue.
83578 – 9521
83578-9521