Winfield E. Morgan saved Evan Bennett from drowning, Fairton, New Jersey, May 31, 1963. Bemett’s four-door sedan went out of control and plunged off the highway into a pond, where it began to sink 20 feet from the bank in water eight feet deep. Bennett, 78, who suffered rib fractures and was badly dazed, was trapped in the automobile. Winfield, 14, schoolboy, who was fishing nearby, ran 35 feet along the bank, removed his shoes and jacket, and entered the water. He swam 20 feet to the side of the sedan but was unable to open the front door. He moved to the rear door and opened it with effort because of the water pressure. Wedging his body in the opening, he called to Bennett to climb into the rear seat section. Bennett did so. The vehicle began sinking more rapidly as Winfield reached into the rear compartment, took hold of Bennett with both hands, and pulled him through the doorway. They held to the top of the sedan, which by then was three inches under water. A man swam to them and aided Winfield in towing Bennett to a rowboat which others had shoved from the bank. The sedan sank to the bottom. Holding to the boat and supporting Bennett, Winfield and the man swam to the bank by kicking. Bennett was hospitalized and recovered.
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