Beatrice Nickels Burch, 37, housewife, saved Vyonne G. Walker, 16, from drowning, Fresno, Montana, July 22, 1956. While frolicking in Milk River, Miss Walker and a 16-year-old boy who was a good swimmer moved beyond their depth and were submerged briefly in water eight feet deep. The boy thrust Miss Walker, who could not swim, toward the bank and then trod water weakly near her as she struggled at the surface 35 feet from the bank. After removing only her shoes, Mrs. Burch, who had not swum at all for 11 years, waded 15 feet into the water and then swam 20 feet to Miss Walker, who grasped her and caused both to be submerged. Mrs. Burch freed herself, and each surfaced separately. Tired and breathing with effort, Mrs. Burch towed Miss Walker, who was then inert, three feet toward the bank. Fearful that she could not swim the remaining distance, Mrs. Burch submerged and sought footing on the river bottom, but her legs became entangled in a dense growth of reeds, from which she kicked free. It was necessary for her to submerge and free her legs from the reeds a second time as she towed Miss Walker 17 feet farther to a man who had waded into the water. The man carried Miss Walker to the bank, where she was revived and then removed to a hospital, recovering fully the next day. Mrs. Burch was aided from the water as the boy who had continued to tread water 40 feet from the bank disappeared beneath the surface. Others recovered his body two hours later. Mrs. Burch rested and then returned home, where she recovered. 43910-4100
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43910-4100