William C. Weeks died helping to save Judy A. Purvis from drowning, Sarasota, Florida, May 9, 1971. While wading in Sarasota Bay, Judy, 14, got beyond her depth and was submerged briefly. Floundering, she called for help. Weeks, 19, short-order cook, removed his shoes and entered the water. He waded and swam to Judy, who then was 35 feet from shore in water 10 feet deep. She grasped Weeks about the neck. They went under a number of times. Although Weeks tried to move Judy toward shore, they were carried away from it by the tidal current. After being submerged briefly several more times, Judy and Weeks floated inert. A police patrol boat arrived; and Judy and Weeks were taken to shore. Judy responded to artificial respiration, but Weeks could not be revived.
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