Richard Craig Abbas

Richard Craig Abbas saved April M. Pritchard from drowning, Denver, Iowa, July 20, 1993. April, 12, was playing in rain-swollen Denver Creek when she was swept over a dam and submerged in the rough water at the face of the dam. Abbas, 37, art gallery owner, was fishing downstream of the dam when he saw the accident. He immediately entered the creek, swam into the rough water, and submerged to look for April. He found her and grasped her, but they became caught momentarily in the rough water, and Abbas kicked off the face of the dam several times before freeing them. He then took April to the bank of the creek and removed her from the water. Abbas sustained scratches to his elbows and shins; he recovered.