Thomas L. Andrews died after saving Tommy T. Catlett from drowning, Wittsburg, Arkansas, July 2, 1959. Tommy, 8, a poor swimmer, waded and swam to 12 feet from the bank of the St. Francis River, where he was submerged in water five feet deep in an area which had scattered holes generally two feet deep on the river bottom. He then surfaced and flailed his arms wildly in panic. Andrews, 19, baker, a very poor swimmer who had not recovered fully from an operation, was fishing from the bank. He entered the water fully clothed and waded 14 feet to behind Tommy. Taking hold of Tommy with both hands, Andrews lifted him slightly and pushed him four feet toward the bank, enabling him to reach wadable water. Andrews took one step toward the bank and then disappeared beneath the surface. He did not reappear. Tommy and an older boy summoned help. Andrews was removed from the water but could not be revived.
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