Norma K. Pittman saved Eric B. Purdin from drowning, Beverly, Washington, September 15, 1974. When Eric, 11, attempted to swim to a submerged sand bar in the Columbia River, he played out and called for help. Mrs. Pittman, 36, telephone company senior clerk, left her position in wadable water on the bar and swam 60 feet to Eric, who was struggling to keep afloat in deep water. Eric grasped Mrs. Pittman and caused her to go under. She surfaced, calmed Eric, and then began towing him toward the sand bar, being submerged briefly a number of times along the way. Mrs. Pittman was very tired by the time she reached the bar with Eric. Both rested there before being aided to the bank.
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