William P. Ewing, 18, student, saved Joyce E. Jefferson,18, from drowning, San Marcos, Texas, September 12, 1968. Miss Jefferson, who could not swim, lost her hold on the edge of a vertical wall at the bank of the San Marcos River and was submerged briefly in water nine feet deep. She called for help. Ewing was attracted. Although somewhat tired from earlier swimming, he ran 80 feet to the bank and dived into the river. He swam 60 feet to where Miss Jefferson had submerged. Ewing dived from the surface and, at times coming up for air, probed about in matted aquatic plants covering the river bottom until he found Miss Jefferson, who was inert. After pulling her free of the plants, Ewing took her to the surface and towed her 20 feet to the vertical bank, where others drew her from the water. Weak from his exertions, Ewing climbed out with difficulty. Miss Jefferson was revived; and she recovered fully after hospitalization.
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