Berlin R. Fisher, 20, rug-mill spool winder, died helping to save Iona M. Seay, 11, from drowning, Springwood, Virginia, May 26, 1947. While a cousin of Iona, another youth, and two girls were playing tag in Cave Spring Lake, they tipped a rowboat in which Iona was sitting; and it capsized, throwing her into water 10 feet deep 75 feet from the bank. Iona, who could not swim, climbed onto the bottom. Her cousin, who was a good swimmer, pulled her off and towed her toward the bank as Fisher ran to the water and partly clothed waded 10 feet and swam 30 feet to them. Her cousin, who was tiring, told Fisher to take Iona, released her, and swam to the bank. Fisher pulled Iona against his back, and she placed her arms around his neck. After towing her 10 feet, Fisher grimaced in distress and suddenly sank with her. She released him and rose, but he did not reappear and was drowned. A man who was a good swimmer then reached her and towed her in. The other two girls were drowned. Iona was chilled and nervous.
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