Malik Andre Williams and Van U. Thang

Malik Andre Williams
The last photo taken of Carnegie Hero Malik Andre Williams and his son, Jaden, fishing off a dock on the Mississippi River. Moments after this photo was taken by a passerby, Jaden fell into the water, and Williams died trying to rescue him.
Malik Andrew Williams and Van U. Thang
Malik Andrew Williams

Malik Andre Williams, 25, and 17-year-old Van U. Thang rescued a 6-year-old boy who had fallen into the Mississippi River June 6, 2017, in Moline, Ill. Williams, a laborer, jumped feet first into the river after his son, Jaden, fell into water with a strong current. Williams submerged and resurfaced a few feet from Jaden and then floundered with Jaden near the dock, both submerging. Van, a high school student, arrived and, despite having limited swimming ability, waded and then swam 15 feet to Jaden, who had resurfaced. Van grasped Jaden’s arm and towed him back to the bank where he handed him to his mother. Jaden swallowed water and was taken to the hospital and recovered. Jaden’s father did not resurface and drowned. Van was not injured.

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