On this date in 1945, The Long Beach Independent reports that a thirteen-year old Surfside resident, Rodney Middleworth, fell off the old 101 Highway bridge into the water. When Seal Beach Fire Chief Sperry Knighton and Seal Beach police officers arrived with lifesaving equipment, they discovered that he had already been rescued by Lester Buchalz of Santa Paula and an unidentified fourteen-year old boy who had already left the scene. The two had heard Rodney’s cries for help and saved him.
– Michael Dobkins
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