Walter G. Langford, Sr., died attempting to save Ralph A. Foster from drowning, Miakka, Florida, August 17, 1950. While wading on a spillway of the Myakka River, Ralph, 12, lost his footing and fell into an area of turbulent water which extended 100 feet downstream. He rose flailing his arms six feet from the spillway and 16 feet from the bank in water eight feet deep. Fully clothed, Langford, 54, truck driver, waded 15 feet from the bank to the edge of a drop-off and took hold of Ralph. He turned and attempted to pull Ralph toward the bank but suddenly slipped from the drop-off and sank with him. They rose and drifted 12 feet in a current of 1 m.p.h. Langford’s wife cast a fishing line to him and drew him and Ralph to within three feet of the spillway. She extended a fishing pole to Langford, who accidentally pulled it from her grasp. He swam 85 feet downstream in the turbulent water with Ralph. Both sank and were drowned.
42126-3699Walter G. Langford, Sr.
Sarasota, FL