Chester G. Hurst died attempting to save Buddy R. Damron from drowning, Dunkinsville, Ohio, July 19, 1961. When he stepped into a hole while wading in a creek, Buddy, 14, schoolboy, floundered, was submerged briefly in water six feet deep, and called for help. Hurst, 53, farmer, waded and swam 20 feet as Buddy continued to flail his arms wildly. Just as Hurst reached him, Buddy sank again. Immediately thereafter Hurst also disappeared beneath the surface. When they reappeared, Buddy had his arms around Hurst’s neck and his legs wrapped about Hurst’s body. Gasping, Hurst struggled to break free but could not do so. Both submerged briefly again. Richard E. Henderson and Roy Eugene McKee, both 14 and only fair swimmers waded and swam to Hurst and Buddy. All four then floundered wildly. Hurst then submerged, followed in order by Roy Eugene, Richard, and Buddy. None returned to the surface. Other boys summoned help. Hurst, Buddy, Richard, and Roy Eugene, were found on the creek bottom and removed from the water. None of them could be revived.
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