William A. MiIller saved David A. Miller from drowning, Easton, Pennsylvania, June 26, 1960. David, 2, William, 12, schoolboy, and the former’s father were riding in a motorboat in rapids of the Delaware River when the craft struck a submerged rock and overturned in deep water 115 feet from the bank. William and the father struggled from beneath the boat, but David was not in sight. As William clung to the craft and was carried 450 feet downstream by the swift current, the father remained behind to look for David but could not find him. William then briefly dived beneath the surface but could not see in the muddy water. He climbed onto the bottom of the overturned boat and saw David floating beneath the surface. Diving into the rapids, where there were numerous rocks, William swam 15 feet and then submerged erect. He found David, who was conscious, and brought him to the surface. David squirmed intermittently as William towed him 20 feet and overtook the drifting boat. Holding to the bow, which was still above water as they drifted 300 feet farther, William with his body supported David against the hull. David continued to squirm, and William called to the father for assistance. Aided by the current, the father swam to the boat and grasped the hull, nearly exhausted. William took hold of the father’s wrist, and they then supported David with their joined arms as the boat moved 1,600 feet farther downstream. Two men in a rowboat then reached them and took them to the bank.
45443 – 4478
45443-4478