Andre McGinley attempted to save Rodney D. McKnight from drowning, Washington, D.C., August 1, 1960. Rodney, 12, dived to water 11 feet deep in a public swimming pool where a lifeguard had just lost consciousness after climbing from the pool and telling the manager that he had been shocked while checking the bottom drains. The pool’s underwater lights were lit. Rodney did not return to the surface, and his plight was noticed by a second lifeguard. Unaware of his fellow worker’s remark about being shocked , the second guard dived into the water, but before reaching Rodney lost consciousness and floated to the surface near the side of the pool. McGinley, 27, seminary student, with help lifted him from the water. Reviving, the second lifeguard mumbled that he had been shocked. McGinley then noticed Rodney lying inert at the bottom of the pool. Having heard the second lifeguard’s remark about being shocked and hearing the manager call for the lights in the pool to be turned off, McGinley believed there was an electrical charge in the water. Without knowing whether the lights had been turned off, McGinley immediately dived into the pool. He felt no electrical shock. He reached Rodney, grasped him around the waist, and surfaced with him. Swimming to the side of the pool, McGinley lifted Rodney out and then climbed from the water. Rodney and the two lifeguards were removed to a hospital. The second lifeguard recovered, but Rodney and the first guard could not be revived.
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