[Kaye:] Welcome back, everyone. I'm Randi Kaye. Bottom of the hour now. Here are some of the stories that we're watching this hour. In Syria, the violence rages on. Rebel fighters and government troops battled today for control of a state-run TV and radio building in Aleppo. Opposition forces reportedly took control of the building before they were pushed back by sniper fire and shelling. An opposition group says at least 45 people have been killed across the country today. In medical news, a major spike in cases of West Nile virus. So far, we've seen 241 cases across the country with four deaths. The CDC says most of the cases have been centered in Texas, Mississippi and Oklahoma. The virus is carried by mosquitos. It can be especially harmful to people with compromised immune systems, like young children or the elderly. After hitting parts of the Windward Islands, tropical storm Ernesto is heading for the central Caribbean. Forecasters say Ernesto could become a hurricane. Meanwhile, tropical depression six is now a tropical storm. Florence is currently tracking about 330 miles west of Cape Verde islands. The one and only David Hasselhoff doing what he does best, running to save a life on the '90s classic TV show "Bay Watch." But here's one thing that probably never happened to the Hoff, a hospital Bill after the rescue. Well, that's exactly what happened to my next guest. And 17-year-old John Clark said he had a headache after saving a boy from drowning, saving a boy from drowning, all right? So, he has this headache, jumped on an ambulance to get it checked out with the boy he saved, and this all cost him about $2,600. Checking out the ill now, according to Oregon affiliate KOIN, more than $400 for the ER, more than $200 for the physician and nearly $2,000 for that 15-mile trip in the ambulance. John Clark joins me now from Portland, Oregon. John, good morning. Thanks for joining us this morning. Take us back to the rescue. How did this all happen? You weren't even working, right? You were just on a trip in that area?
[John Clark, Lifeguard:] Yes, my family and I were just vacationing in the area. That day I was on the beach flying kites with my girlfriend and my nephew, actually, and I heard some screaming and I looked out towards the water, and there was a young boy floating out in the breakers, probably 50 to 100 yards off the beach. And I mean, I didn't really think about it, just kind of took off my shirt and went out there and swam out to the boy and he was panicking, and he clinged on to me at the time. So one thing they taught us in lifeguard school is that if they're panicking, before you can do anything, you have to calm him down. So, I pushed him away, I started to talking to him and I calmed him down. I got that his name was Robert and he was 12 years old. And from there, he was almost too tired to swim anymore, so I kind of helped hold him up with one hand while treading water. And the currents just kept pushing us outlook farther and farther. Every time a wave would come, I'd tell him, "Robert, ready? Hold your breath."
[Kaye:] But you eventually helped get him or got him to safety, right?
[Clark:] Yes. Rescue crews eventually got out to us about 15 minutes later on a jet ski, but the waves were so big, it flipped their jet skis. Luckily, we were able to make it back.
[Kaye:] When he was safe on land, he was put in this ambulance and you climbed into the ambulance as well. Did anybody tell you there would be a charge because you had a headache and you wanted to go in the ambulance as well?
[Clark:] No, I didn't really think about it at the time. I thought it was kind of standard procedure for both of us to get in there and go to the hospital.
[Kaye:] So, this $2,600 bill that we're talking about, you never saw that coming?
[Clark:] No. I mean, I figured there would be some expenses, but nothing like this.
[Kaye:] I want to ask you about your thoughts, because was this fair, do you think? I mean, do you think that you should be charged? You just saved this little boy's life, or certainly helped save him.
[Clark:] I mean, I don't really see a problem with it. Everyone was doing their jobs, but I think it's more of a problem within the system of there should be a system there should be some system in place to help out these situations.
[Kaye:] But do you think you should have been charged $2,600?
[Clark:] Probably not.
[Kaye:] Well, I'm sure you're aware, obviously, since hearing about this, dozens have offered to cover the bill? What do you think of that?
[Clark:] Yes. I mean, that's absolutely amazing. I mean, our family couldn't be more grateful. It just makes me feel ecstatic inside that everyone has been so generous.
[Kaye:] It is nice to see them reaching out. And the boy that you saved, he's doing OK?
[Clark:] I actually haven't been in contact with him. All I know is his name and his age, and I haven't spoke to him, but I'm pretty sure he's doing good.
[Kaye:] Well, I'm sure his parents are thankful that you were in that area on that day. John, thank you very much, John Clark. Appreciate it.
[Clark:] Thank you.
[Kaye:] One man's tax bill is big news in Washington. I'm talking about Mitt Romney's. Senator Harry Reid says Romney is a cheat, but Romney is blasting back. So, who needs to show their hand? We'll find out.