David L. Morris, Sr., 31, electrician, attempted to save Billy E. Gross, Sr., 34, bricklayer, from drowning, Hampton, Virginia, July 3, 1954. A motorboat in which Gross was competing in a race in Hampton Creek glancingly struck piling at the outer end of a pier; and he sustained severe head injuries and was thrown from his seat at the stern, his head and one arm extending downward into the water. At half-speed of 20 m.p.h., the motorboat continued into water five feet deep 110 feet from the bank and then rapidly began revolving counterclockwise, Gross’s weight causing the boat to tip sharply toward one side with the moving propeller a foot below the surface. Morris, who was attracted, waded 60 feet from the bank and swam to the edge of the circular path of the boat. Twice as the bow swung by he moved a foot and a half inside the path of the boat and tried to take hold of the bow. On both attempts the bow eluded the grasp of Morris, who withdrew to his former position barely ahead of the advancing stern and motor. Entering the circle a third time, he succeeded in locking his hands around the bow and stopped the rotation of the boat. He waded six feet steadying the boat and thence guided it into the side of another craft which had arrived. Boarding the boat, Morris shut off the motor and drew Gross back into his seat. Gross was removed to the bank and was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries. Morris, who was tired, recovered. 43219-3964
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