J. Arthur Hedin, 36, lumber carrier operator, attempted to save LaVern V. Nigg, 23, plywood core feeder, from drowning, Kalispell, Montana, June 9, 1964. While wading in floodwaters of the Flathead River, Nigg was caught in the main current stream, carried into water eight feet deep, and submerged briefly several times. He grasped a submerged fence and climbed onto a gate, which was three feet beneath the surface. Hedin was on horseback and, scanning the area with binoculars, saw Nigg holding to the gatepost in the flooded area. Hedin rode to the area and entered the strong current. In water four feet deep he proceeded toward Nigg, who was calling for help. The horse stepped into a gully and rolled over in water nine feet deep with Hedin beneath it. Hedin got free and obtained a hold on a tree trunk which rose two feet above the water 70 feet from Nigg. The horse was swept against the fence, causing it to sway, and then carried downstream. Nigg and Hedin agreed that they should not try to swim in the swift current. Three men arrived, and one of them waded toward Nigg with a rope held by the others. The man was submerged briefly, and the others pulled him back. They left to try to find a boat. Meanwhile Hugh T. Galloway, in an eight-foot boat with an outboard motor, had gone to his flooded home near the edge of the floodwaters. Galloway, who had a cardiac condition, had started back to dry ground when he heard cries for help from Nigg and Hedin. Although the motor on his boat was in poor condition, Galloway proceeded into the swift current, guided by the cries. He shut off the motor while he rowed clear of an area where he knew there was a submerged fence. The motor stalled once as he proceeded directly against the main current, moving only slowly although the motor was at full throttle. Galloway approached Nigg, idled the motor, and moved to alongside the gatepost. Although he felt the boat was inadequate, Nigg stepped into the craft, which had shipped about two gallons of water. When the boat had drifted clear of the submerged fence, Galloway again started the motor, which began sputtering. Telling Hedin to hold on until he returned, Galloway piloted the boat toward the nearest dry ground about 375 feet away, proceeding slowly and avoiding floating debris. After leaving Nigg on dry ground, Galloway returned to get Hedin. He was careful not to let the current strike the boat broadside as he backed it to Hedin at the edge of the gully. He stopped the motor and steadied the boat with the oars as Hedin climbed into it. Galloway then restarted the motor and again proceeded against the current back to dry ground.
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