Robert Eli Meyer saved Johaun B. Bennett from drowning, Scituate, Massachusetts, May 14, 2011. Playing in knee-deep water off an Atlantic Ocean beach, Johaun, 10, was suddenly taken farther from shore by a strong undertow. In rough water over his depth, he was unable to return to the beach. Working at a property near the scene, Meyer, 28, assistant nursing home administrator, was alerted, He ran to a point on the beach opposite Johaun, where he removed his outer attire. Meyer then entered the 50-degree water and waded and swam through the surf about 300 feet to Johaun. He established a hold on Johaun with one arm and with the other began to swim to shore. Their progress through the rough water was difficult, Meyer struggling to maintain his hold of Johaun and to keep Johaun’s head above the surface, and Meyer took in water and became tired. When they reached wadable water, Meyer carried Johaun toward shore, where others assisted him. Both Meyer and Johaun were cold and tired, but they recovered later that day.
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