Paul Ross Robie saved D. Michael Demers from drowning, South Portland, Maine, November 22, 1960. When Michael, 8, who could not swim, fell into Casco Bay 500 feet from shore, he was submerged briefly in deep water in a six-foot space between a float and a pier and then screamed for help as he struggled to remain at the surface. Paul, 13, schoolboy, removed only his shoes and jumped from the float into the cold water five feet below. He was submerged and then surfaced near Michael just under the edge of the pier, which rose 15 feet above the water. When Paul attempted to take hold of him, Michael’s thrashing arms struck him on the head. Michael then grasped Paul with both arms and tried to climb onto him. His actions caused Paul to be submerged briefly, and Michael lost his hold. After calming Michael, Paul took hold of his arm. Doubting that he could boost him onto the float, Paul towed Michael ten feet under the pier to a double piling connected by cross arms. Paul pushed upward on Michael, who then was able to pull himself onto the cross arms. Paul supported Michael until two men summoned by the latter’s brother arrived in a rowboat and took them to shore.
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