William E. Fitzwater saved Evelyn Webster from drowning, Cincinnati, Ohio, March 18, 1967. At night a sedan containing Mrs. Webster, 46, and Ernest Clark skidded and plunged from the roadway into floodwaters of the Ohio River. Thirty-five feet from the road, the vehicle began to sink in water 11 feet deep. Clark climbed out through an open window and held to the automobile as Mrs. Webster, who could not swim, thrust her head through the opening and called for help. Fitzwater, 18, student, was among a number of motorists who had stopped on the road. He removed his coat and boots, entered the cold water, and swam to the sinking vehicle. The water was at the bottom of the window through which Mrs. Webster had thrust her head and arms. Fitzwater drew Mrs. Webster from the automobile. Clark said he could swim, and he followed Fitzwater as the latter began towing Mrs. Webster. The sedan then sank completely. Twenty feet from the road, Mrs. Webster suddenly grasped Fitzwater, causing both to be submerged. Fitzwater returned to the surface alone. He then submerged, probed the muddy water, and located Mrs. Webster, who had lost consciousness. Fitzwater surfaced with her and continued towing her. He became fatigued, and about seven feet from the road he grasped a rope by which he and Mrs. Webster were pulled to wadable water. A man waded to them and aided Fitzwater in removing Mrs. Webster from the water. Meanwhile Joseph T. Madrigal, Jr., had noted that Clark was floundering 20 feet from the road. Madrigal removed his sweater, entered the cold water, and swam to Clark, who continued flailing. In water 10 feet deep, Madrigal took hold of Clark and began towing him. Although Clark squirmed in his grasp, Madrigal retained his hold and took him 20 feet to the road, where Mrs. Webster by then had been revived. 49472-5353
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