William C. Clark, 58, physical director, saved Dorothy and attempted to save Frances Englestein, 50 and 54, respectively, from drowning, Miami Beach, Florida, July 5, 1957. At night Dorothy and Frances waded into the Atlantic Ocean and got into distress in the surf. Clark and his wife, guests at a nearby hotel, were attracted by screams and ran to the deserted beach, from where they dimly saw someone in the water. After disrobing to his underwear, Clark waded into the surf and then swam 35 feet to Frances, who was gasping feebly as she floated 95 feet from shore in water five feet deep between breakers 14 inches high. Impeded by her weight and the breakers, Clark swam towing her to wadable water 25 feet from shore. He then secured footing and dragged her to the beach. Clark immediately began artificial respiration on Frances but, hearing a faint call from the ocean, again entered the surf. He waded and swam 125 feet from shore, where he reached Dorothy in deeper water. Dorothy threw both arms around Clark, who forcefully broke her hold and, as she continued to struggle, pushed her head beneath the surface in an effort to subdue her. Throwing her arms about Clark’s head, Dorothy caused him to be submerged. Clark succeeded in breaking Dorothy’s hold, and both returned to the surface. Dorothy did not struggle further as Clark swam 60 feet pushing her ahead of him to wadable water, where he gained footing and aided her to the beach. Clark resumed giving artificial respiration to Frances until police arrived and relieved him. Frances could not be revived. Clark, who was tired, winded, and slightly nauseated by water he had swallowed, later developed a bronchial condition which required him to be hospitalized. He recovered.
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