Dowd W. Sell, 28, power lineman, saved Vivian C. Riddle, 13, and Margaret L. Wood, 18, and attempted to save Alice J. Haywood, 15, from drowning, Oakboro, North Carolina, May 30, 1944. While wading in Stony Run Creek, Vivian, Mrs. Wood, and Miss Haywood fell over a ledge into water 12 feet deep 20 feet from the bank. Deep water extended from bank to bank. All rose grabbing at one another. Sell dived from the bank and rose among them. They grasped him tightly; and all were twice submerged; but being released, Sell swam to the surface. He then took hold of Vivian, swam 15 feet to the ledge, and waded to the bank. He swam to Mrs. Wood, pulled her to the surface, and towed her 15 feet to the ledge. She was limp, and he carried her to the bank. He swam to the point where he had last seen Miss Haywood and dived in an attempt to find her. He came to the surface, his eyes burning and his chest paining him; and being tired, he went to the bank. Miss Haywood was drowned. 40209-3378
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40209-3378