Richard D. Crothers helped to save Richard S. Carter, Jr., and three others from drowning, Esquimalt, British Columbia, February 14, 1971. When a boat capsized in rough water in the Juan De Fuca Strait, Richard, 10, his father, and two youths clung to the bow and called for help. A high school student witnessed the accident from shore and reported the situation to Crothers, 19, laborer, who had a 10-foot motorboat. In waves six to eight feet high, Crothers and the student proceeded toward the capsized craft. Twice the motor stalled briefly. Warning the persons in the water to be calm, Crothers maneuvered his boat to them about 1,300 feet from shore. The student aided Richard aboard. The two youths climbed into the boat, which shipped some water and then had freeboard of about three inches. Richard’s father said he would hold to the side; but after they had gone a short distance, he was too cold to retain his grip. He was taken aboard; and Crothers piloted the boat to shore without further incident despite the rough water.
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