2 Azusa Youths Rescue Boy Trapped in River

Two Azusa youths were being hailed as heroes Saturday after rescuing a 10-year-old boy trapped in the current of the San Gabriel River, Los Angeles County Fire Department officials said.

Fire Capt. Jose Lopez said the youngster was trying to retrieve a hat that fell into the river about a quarter of a mile north of Foothill Boulevard at 5 p.m. Friday. When he was unable to make his way back to shore, he called for help.

Lopez said that Raymond Villegas and Richard Lopez, both about 12 years old, swam about halfway across the 75-foot-wide waterway and pulled the youngster, whom they did not know, to safety. The 10-year-old was not hurt, Lopez said.