Salvador B. Agustin, Jr., helped to save Everardo Meza from drowning, Hayward, California, September 7, 2004. In a highway accident on a bridge, Everardo, 4, and another boy were thrown from a van over the bridge railing and 20 feet down into San Francisco Bay. Everardo’s father, another passenger in the van, jumped into the water from the bridge and held onto Everardo. The water was cold and, because of the incoming tide, was moving swiftly away from that side of the bridge. Agustin, 28, registered nurse, came upon the scene while driving on the bridge. Seeing that another man had jumped into the water for Everardo and his father and concluding that he needed help with them, Agustin removed his outer attire and, not knowing the depth of the water, jumped from the bridge. He swam about 50 feet to where he relieved the other man of Everardo, then he swam back to the bridge as the other man continued with Everardo’s father. Those on the bridge had lowered a cable and rope from a tow truck, and by means of those lines all four were pulled from the water. Everardo and his father received hospital treatment for abrasions. Agustin sustained abrasions to his hands and wrists, and he recovered. The other boy was not found.
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78120-8957