David William Merrill, 13, schoolboy, saved Dwain A., 4, and Elizabeth M. Musselwhite, 29, from drowning, Beaufort, North Carolina, September 21, 1959. Dwain fell from a dock into a dredged stream and began drifting with the strong current in water 12 feet deep 30 feet from the bank. His brother’s screams attracted their mother, a poor swimmer, who sent Dwain’s brother to get help and then entered the water. She made her way to Dwain and lifted him to the surface as he began to sink. By kicking her feet and paddling with her free arm, Mrs. Musselwhite managed to remain afloat with Dwain as they were carried downstream. David was attracted and ran 600 feet to the water’s edge, followed by some other boys. After removing his shoes, shirt, and glasses, David waded and swam 30 feet to Dwain and Mrs. Musselwhite. He told them to keep calm and stated that he would take Dwain to the bank first. Dwain put one arm about the neck of David, who held him around the waist. David swam 10 feet with Dwain to another boy who towed Dwain five feet to wadable water and then waded to the bank with him. Meanwhile David swam 15 feet and overtook Mrs. Musselwhite, who weighed 30 pounds more than he. She placed her arm lightly about the neck of David, who swam 20 feet with her to wadable water. Both then waded to the bank. 44850-4326
44850 – 4326
44850-4326