William E. Rainwater, 13, schoolboy, saved an unidentified boy from drowning, Tolleson, Arizona, March 19, 1961. When the boy, about five-years-old, fell into Buckeye Canal, which was 30 feet wide, a youth who had been with him jumped into the water to aid him. The boy struggled violently and forced the youth beneath the surface several times. The youth then swam to the vertical concrete side of the canal and was aided out by others as the boy continued drifting. William, 13, schoolboy, ran 100 feet to the edge of the canal and dived into the water. He swam to the boy midway the sides of the canal, where the water was seven and a half feet deep. William obtained a chinhold and, although the boy continued to struggle violently, towed him five feet toward the side of the canal. The boy then broke free and climbed onto William, forcing him beneath the surface briefly. William regained his hold and towed the boy to the side of the canal despite continuing struggle. Treading water, William held the boy’s head above the surface and called for assistance. A man who also had been with the boy jumped into the water. He took the boy from William, who then was aided out of the canal. William followed along the canal as the man and the boy drifted downstream. They then surfaced apart, and the man tried to stay afloat while the boy continued drifting. Others aided the man from the water. William again dived into the canal, swam to the boy at midstream, and secured a firmer chinhold. By then tired and winded, William progressed only slowly in towing the boy across the current as it carried them downstream. After swimming 285 feet, William succeeded in reaching the side of the canal with the boy, who then was inert. Others aided them out of the water. William revived the boy.
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