Charles Francis Key died helping to save Charles J. Smith from drowning, Libertytown, Maryland, July 17, 1952. While fishing at the end of a low pier which extended 25 feet from the bank of a pond, Charles, 9, fell into deep water and was submerged briefly. He rose flailing his arms in panic six feet from the pier and called for help. Key, 38, farm laborer, who had been performing manual labor for several hours in afternoon heat of 95 degrees, ran 500 feet to the end of the pier. Sliding feet first into the water, Key submerged momentarily and rose facing the pier just behind Charles. As he surfaced, Key took hold of Charles. A man ran to the end of the pier and extended a 10-foot pole to them. Key, who had supported Charles for 30 seconds, released his hold on the boy and slowly sank as Charles grasped the pole and was pulled to the pier. Key was brought to the surface by firemen within a half an hour but could not be revived. 42613-3812
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