Herman D. Griffin, 26, furniture store manager, died attempting to save Ezelle Wideman, 11, schoolboy, from drowning, Anderson, South Carolina, July 24, 1958. In a small artificial lake Ezelle got into difficuIty in water 11 feet deep 90 feet from the nearest bank and called for help. Griffin was attracted, along with a man and his wife who were poor swimmers. After removing all of his clothing except his underwear, Griffin swam ninety feet to Ezelle, who had submerged several times and was struggling wildly. Griffin took hold of Ezelle, who threw both arms around his neck. He then moved behind Griffin and climbed onto his back, causing both to he submerged briefly. Griffin secured a chin hold on Ezelle, and towed him part way toward the bank, where Ezelle again submerged Griffin. After rising and regaining his hold on Ezelle, Griffin continued towing him with difficulty as Ezelle kicked and struggled vigorously. Twenty feet from the bank Ezelle again climbed onto Griffin’s back. Both then sank and did not reappear. The other man paddled a rowboat to where they had submerged, but was unable to see them in the muddy water. Firemen summoned by the man’s wife arrived and located Griffin and Ezelle who could not he revived.
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