Cordie J. Vinson saved Ida S. Bailey from drowning, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 7, 1970. Vinson, 34, shipper, was on a boulevard alongside the Schuylkill River when he saw Mrs. Bailey, 43, in the water 75 feet below. Although he was a poor swimmer, Vinson removed his shoes, coat, and shirt and jumped into the river. When he entered the cold water, his knees were driven painfully against his chest. Vinson was submerged in water 15 feet deep. He surfaced and swam 10 feet to Mrs. Bailey, who struggled briefly with him and then lapsed into semi-consciousness. Vinson towed her 15 feet to a vertical wall at the riverbank and found footing on an underwater ledge. He drew Mrs. Bailey onto the ledge with him. From atop the wall, a rope was lowered to Vinson; but he could not secure it around Mrs. Bailey while holding her on the narrow ledge. A policeman reached the ledge by sliding down the rope, which he then tied around Mrs. Bailey. By means of the rope, Mrs. Bailey, Vinson, and then the policeman were removed from the water.
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