Scott Hecht saved a girl from drowning, Mastic Beach, New York, July 30, 2009. A teenage girl struggled to stay afloat in the Atlantic Ocean after being swept away from the beach by a strong current. Beachgoers shouted for help, attracting the attention of Hecht, 45, social worker, who was in a camping area nearby. Although he decided earlier not to swim that day because of rough surf conditions, Hecht entered the water with a short surfboard and, holding onto the board, swam out to the girl, reaching her at a point about 200 feet from shore. He grasped her by the wrists and held them over the board and then started toward shore. Waves overtook them as they proceeded, and a lateral current swept them along the shoreline. Others aided the girl when they reached wadable water, and Hecht also reached the beach safely. Hecht was very tired and sustained scratches to his legs, but he did not need medical treatment. He recovered.
82452 – 9381
82452-9381