Children Saved as Youth 'Tackles' Runaway Car

Larry Christiansen, a 210-pound Cleveland High School freshman gridder who hopes to play professional football some day, "tackled" a runaway automobile yesterday to rescue two young children.

Today the shy youth received a warm "thank you" from the grateful mother, Mrs. Evan Shu, 1355, Lake Washington Blvd. S., and salutes from his schoolmates.

"It wasn't so much," Larry said.

Children Unhurt

The children, Evan, Jr., 2, and Geraldine, 9 months, were uninjured.

The mishap occurred in 18th Avenue South near McClellan Street, while Mrs. Shu, a physician who practices under her maiden name, Dr. Ruby Inouye, was making a call. Mrs. Shu left the youngsters in the car.

I'm not sure what happened," Mrs. Shu said. "Perhaps Evan let off the brake -- he's getting to the age where he monkeys with the car radio and things like that."

Car Hit Stop Sign

Larry, 15, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry O. Christiansen, 1804 McClellan St., was sitting on his front lawn when the car began to coast down the hill.

"The first thing I noticed was when the car hit a stop sign," Larry said. "I thought maybe someone was just learning how to drive. But then I heard a little kid scream and I started after the car."

Larry tried the door handle but it would not open. Then he dodged two utility poles, caught up in the car again, and succeeded in opening the door.

Youth Halts Car

"I jumped in and slammed on the brakes," Larry said. "Just then the door banged against a pole. I guess the car was going about 20 miles an hour at the time."

Larry was gripped by terror when he was unable to open the door." He figured the door was locked.

Mrs. Shu said the door would have been locked if she had not left the car by that side.