T. Douglas Fletcher, 35, bank officer, helped to save Steven M. Samples, 10, following a shark attack, Palm Beach Shores, Florida, April 20, 1968. Steven was swimming in the Atlantic Ocean 20 feet from shore when he suddenly shouted to his father on the beach that there were sharks in the area. The father ran into the water and started swimming toward Steven, as did Fletcher and a serviceman with a surfboard. A shark was seen near Steven, who was attacked three times and sustained lacerations which bloodied the water. The father reached Steven first and started to tow him shoreward. The serviceman then arrived on the surfboard, followed by Fletcher. In water six feet deep, the father placed Steven on the board with the serviceman. Fletcher held his hand securely over a wound on Steven’s arm which was bleeding profusely. With Fletcher and the father swimming alongside, the surfboard was moved toward shore. Fifteen feet from the beach they were met by Robert McClintock, Jr., who had learned of the situation and had seen a shark in the water. McClintock took hold of the surfboard and aided in moving it to wadable water. On the beach McClintock administered first aid to Steven, who was hospitalized for treatment of lacerations to his back; arms, and legs. He recovered.
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