Thomas Peter Yuskus saved Robert P. Allen, Jr., from drowning, Glenwood, Illinois, June 13, 1981. Robert, 12, and a friend were swept from their bicycles into floodwaters covering Arquilla Park, which was inundated by Thorn Creek after two days of heavy rain. Irregular currents moved Robert into eight-foot-deep water, where he shouted for help. Yuskus, 38, quality control inspector, swam 240 feet to Robert, who struggled with him and caused him to swallow water, which was contaminated. Despite the swift undercurrent and Robert’s struggling, Yuskus swam 120 feet with Robert to a partially submerged tree, where they rested. A man with an inner tube arrived and took Robert to safety. Before leaving the flooded area, Yuskus searched unsuccessfully for Robert’s friend, who drowned.
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