Vincent Castigliola, Jr., saved Jacob H. Powers from drowning, Pensacola, Florida, January 16, 2000. Jacob, 10, was swimming in the Gulf of Mexico with his father when they were caught by a very strong current that took them farther from shore. Tiring after their attempts to return to shore, they called for help, attracting the attention of Castigliola, 50, lawyer, who was walking on the beach. Castigliola immediately entered the water and swam to Jacob and his father, who were then about 150 feet from shore. With Jacob on Castigliola’s back clinging to his shoulders, Castigliola laboriously swam against the current toward shore. He at first aided Jacob’s father as best he could, then, tiring, swam alone with Jacob. En route to shore, Castigliola required periods of rest, during which Jacob treaded water. After several minutes, they reached shore, where Castigliola, cold and exhausted, could not immediately stand. He recovered, as did Jacob. Jacob’s father, meanwhile, had drifted to a sandbar and eventually made it to safety. He was hospitalized for treatment of effects of the ordeal, and he too recovered.
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