Richard James Wippel, 11, schoolboy, saved Glenda M. Barnes, 15, and attempted to save Jackie D. Barnes, 14, from drowning, Pateros, Washington, July 31, 1967. Glenda and Jackie fell from a rock in the Methow River and landed in water 12 feet deep. Jackie was caught in an eddy, but Glenda was carried downstream by the current. Richard jumped from the rock into the water and swam to Glenda, who was floundering wildly. Towing her, Richard began swimming toward the bank as both drifted farther downstream. Twice Glenda grasped Richard and caused him to be submerged briefly. By the time he reached the bank with Glenda, Richard was tired. He ran back to opposite the rock, near which Jackie still was struggling in the eddy and was being submerged intermittently. Richard reentered the water, swam 12 feet to Jackie, and attempted without success to tow him toward the bank. Jackie grasped Richard and submerged him. Richard broke free and escaped from the eddy. The current again carried him downstream, but he managed to reach the bank. By then too weak to go back into the water, Richard sent Glenda to get help . About the time several men arrived, Jackie was ejected from the eddy. Another youth brought Jackie to the bank, but he could not be revived.
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