Christine A. Marty helped to save Roumianka Connolly from drowning, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, August 19, 2011. During a flash flood caused by heavy rain, Connolly, 69, became stranded in her car, which she had been driving on a highway through a low-lying area. She shouted for help. Marty, 21, college student, and her mother were in one of several other vehicles that became stranded in the same area. They escaped to the roof of their car, where Marty heard Connolly. Marty got into the water, which reached depths of up to nine feet, and, rather than make her way to the nearer hillside, swam to Connolly’s car. She grasped Connelly through the open window of the driver’s door and pulled her from the vehicle. Still holding Connolly, she swam to a sport utility vehicle that was floating nearby. With help from that vehicle’s driver, Marty supported Connolly while holding to the vehicle. A rescue boat arrived within several minutes and took the women to safety. Connolly, who sustained contusions and swallowed water, was taken to the hospital for observation. She recovered. Four of the other stranded motorists died in the floodwaters.
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