Steven E. Deal attempted to save Kevin A. McKay from drowning, Peterborough, Ontario, July 28, 1970. While swimming in the Otanabee River at the base of a dam, Kevin, 12, called for help and then was submerged briefly in deep water 60 feet from the bank. Steven, 16, high-school student, swam to Kevin, who was in an eddy. Kevin began to sink again, but Steven held him at the surface. Kevin tried to climb onto Steven, causing him to be submerged. Steven surfaced and, with Kevin then holding to him from behind, tried to swim out of the circular current but again sank briefly. Kevin, who had released Steven when he sank, also was submerged again. Steven drew Kevin to the surface and once more tried to swim out of the circular current. Tiring, he lost his hold on Kevin. By that time they were nearing the downstream side of the eddy. Steven pushed Kevin in that direction and urged him to swim out of the eddy. Instead, Kevin turned and swam back toward Steven. Kevin sank and drowned. Steven looked for Kevin and was nearly exhausted when a life ring was thrown to him. With the ring around him, Steven was swept out of the eddy; and he then managed to swim to the bank.
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