Thomas P. Bicart died attempting to save John R. Valdez from drowning, Othello, Washington, June 5, 1960. When he fell into a lake while fishing, John, 14, schoolboy, was carried away from the bank by a strong current and called for help. His mother, a poor swimmer, entered the cold water and swam to John, but she could not aid him toward the bank. Very tired, the mother called for assistance as she and John were carried farther out. Bicart, 43 farmhand, who was fishing, entered the water fully clothed, as did John’s father, who was farther away. When she saw the men swimming toward John, the mother with much effort returned to the bank. Bicart swam 135 feet to where John then was trying feebly to stay afloat in water 10 feet deep 50 feet from the bank. He secured a chinhold on John and began towing him but made little progress because of the current and his heavy boots. Bicart then suddenly released his hold on John and sank. John’s father, who then was within five feet of him, also sank, as did John soon afterward. None returned to the surface. Skin divers later recovered their bodies. 45148-4352
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