Quick thinking saves lives.(THE GOODNES OF AMERICA)(Brief Article)

Salvador Agustin was driving across California's Hayward-San Mateo Bridge last September when he noticed a group of people near the bridge's edge, staring into the waters of San Francisco Bay. A damaged Mercury Villager minivan sat on the bridge, indicating that an accident had happened, and Agustin could see three people in the water, but none of the onlookers were taking action. "They need help.... We need to help them," shouted the 28-year-old nurse, according to the San Jose Mercury News.

Those floundering in the bay included Edmundo Meza, a three-year-old boy who had been thrown from the minivan; Jorge Lopez, a passenger in the van who had jumped in after Edmundo; and Alberto Ybarra, another motorist who had also jumped in the bay to save the victims. (A second boy had also been thrown into the bay, but his body was not found.)

Agustin swam against the strong currents of the bay's ...