Clary A. Croft, 15, high-school student, helped to save Nirmal Purba from drowning, Chester Basin, Nova Scotia, May 30, 1969. Mrs. Purba, 26, lost control of her sedan, which plunged into Chester Basin and began to sink at the front end in water 12 feet deep 20 feet from the bank. Unable to swim, Mrs. Purba called for help. Clary, 15, high school student, removed his shoes, entered the cold water, and swam to the automobile. The water inside was increasing and had risen to the neck of Mrs. Purba, who had moved into the rear seat. Clary submerged and, with effort, opened the rear door. His head was inside the sinking vehicle as he reached into it and took hold of Mrs. Purba. Clary drew her from the sedan and surfaced with her. A man who had swum to the automobile and climbed onto its trunk aided Mrs. Purba onto the rear bumper and helped Clary to support her there. Another man arrived in a small boat. The sedan disappeared beneath the surface as the three persons in the water, holding to the boat, were towed to the bank.
51280 – 5720
51280-5720