.Ronald E. Beach died helping to save Raymond S. Smith from drowning, Metropolis, Illinois, September 10, 1994. Raymond, 7, and his brother, nonswimmers, were wading in the Ohio River when they entered water that was over their heads and began to struggle. Their mother’s boyfriend, Beach, 28, construction worker, was on the bank in the vicinity when he was alerted to their plight. He immediately ran into the river, then waded and swam to Raymond, who was farther out than his brother. While others entered the river and returned the brother to the bank, Beach was last seen with Raymond before he submerged. A boater removed Raymond from the water and returned him to the bank, then searched for Beach. His body was recovered two days later; he had drowned.
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