"I thought we'd all drown." That was the most vivid recollection of Ronald
Hansen, 17, as he told today of the boating accident which took the life of his friend, George Master, also 17.
"George tried to swim after an oar he had dropped. Then both Gerald Boushey and I tried
to save him when he got a crap or something," Hansen said.
The three Oakland youths were fishing in Old River west of Stockton yesterday.
In the small rowboat were Hansen, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie P. Hansen of 3032 Fruitvale
Ave.; Masters, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Steven G. Masters of 3732 Randolph Ave.; and Gerald Boushey, 15, the
son of Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Boushey of 1532 Excelsior Ae.
"When an oar slipped and fell in the water, George jumped in a nd swam after it. He wasn't
catching it so I jumped in too and caught the oar. I swam to shore because the current was strong.
"Then George yelled for help and Gerry jumped in after him. George kept pulling him under.
"I swam out to George. I stuck an arm around his throat but he pulled me down several times.
I tried to knock him out but couldn't. I thought Gerry drowned and I would too.
"But when I finally got back to shore and yelled, Gerry answered. So I ran to the boat harbor
and called for help."
Both older boys were June Graduates of Oakland High School. Boushey is a student there.
