Van U. Thang rescued Jaden A. G. Williams from drowning, Moline, Illinois, June 6, 2017. Jaden, 6, was on a dock in the Mississippi River when he fell into the water where a strong current was flowing, and struggled to stay above its surface. Jaden’s father jumped fully clothed into the river in an attempt to save Jaden, but they floundered and both submerged. Van, 17, high school student, was in the area and alerted to the situation. He ran to the bank of the river where he saw Jaden, who had resurfaced. Van, despite having limited swimming ability, waded, then swam 15 feet to Jaden, and grasped his arm. Van swam, then waded back to the bank with Jaden. Van handed Jaden to his mother, and then he exited. Jaden swallowed water and was taken to a hospital for treatment; he recovered. Jaden’s father did not resurface, and he drowned. Van was not injured.
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