Robert W. Ballentine, 31, agriculture teacher, saved Joseph M. Stotler, 19, clerk, and four others from drowning, Cayce, South Carolina, August 16, 1950. An automobile in which Joseph, his parents, and two sisters were riding plunged from a highway into Six Mile Creek and settled to the bottom upside down in water six feet deep which quickly filled the interior. All were thrown from the seats and lost consciousness. Ballentine, seeing the wheels barely protruding from the creek, alighted from his automobile and ran 60 feet to a culvert four feet above the creek. Fully clothed, he jumped into the water and submerging to the bottom groped to one of the rear doors 10 feet from the bank and with difficulty opened it. Visibility was poor. Extending his arms into the automobile, Ballentine touched Joseph and pulled him outside. He towed him six feet to wadable water. Joseph revived and informed Ballentine of the others. Returning to the doorway Ballentine submerged and groped inside. He found Joseph’s mother and a sister and pulling them to the surface waded carrying them to the bank. Resuming his search, he submerged and extended the upper part of his body through the doorway. He pulled a seat-cushion from atop Joseph’s father and drew him outside. Ballentine, who had been submerged 30 seconds, was forced to expel his breath and swallowed water. He towed the father to the bank and then returned to the doorway. Twice submerging himself and extending his body through the doorway, Ballentine found the other sister. He pulled her from the automobile and surfaced. Towing the girl to the bank, Ballentine immediately began to administer artificial respiration to her. Joseph and the other occupants were taken to a hospital. The parents and sisters were revived. The mother sustained serious back injuries and was hospitalized 12 days, and the others suffered minor lacerations. Ballentine was tired and nauseated but recovered. 42072-3695
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