Robert A. Dickinson saved Calvin J. Shamper from drowning, North Vancouver, British Columbia, July 22, 1964. While fishing in the Capilano River from atop a bank 25 feet high, Calvin, 10, slipped and fell into water 10 feet deep, where he was submerged briefly. There was no wadable water between the vertical rock banks. Robert, 15 schoolboy, also was fishing from the bank and saw Calvin, who had maintained his hold on his fishing rod, flailing wildly and bobbing at the surface as he was carried swiftly downstream toward an area of rapids. Calvin sank again. Without delaying to remove any of his attire, which included leather boots, Robert jumped into the water 25 feet below and was submerged briefly. He reached Calvin as the latter returned to the surface, thrashing his fishing rod. They were carried to 15 feet from the bank. Robert obtained a hold across Calvin’s cheat and began towing him toward the bank, but the current forced him downstream. He towed Calvin 40 feet diagonally across the current but still was eight feet from the bank when they reached the rapids. As they were carried 10 feet through the turbulent area, Robert held Calvin firmly lest he strike his head on a boulder. Winded, Robert grasped an exposed boulder 10 feet from the bank beyond the rapids. He drew Calvin to the boulder, and both held to it while another youth waded to them. Robert followed as the youth took Calvin to the bank.
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