Edward C. Oswald saved Mylrae Ann Kratts from drowning, Niagara Falls, New York, September 4, 1959. When two men saw Mrs. Kratts, 29, being carried downstream in the Niagara River several thousand feet above the American Falls, they notified Oswald, 54, deputy fire chief, and a group of firemen who were holding a drill 750 feet from the river bank. Oswald drove his automobile as close as he could to the river. He ran 200 feet to opposite Mrs. Kratts, who then was 40 feet from the bank, the buoyancy of her dress helping to keep her afloat. Removing his eyeglasses, Oswald made a shallow dive into the river, on the bed of which were numerous rocks. He swam 60 feet and overtook Mrs. Kratts in water 6.5 feet deep. Oswald secured a chinhold and, prevented by the swift current from taking a direct course, towed Mrs. Kratts 260 feet to within 15 feet of the bank. There Mrs. Kratts struggled with Oswald, but he maintained his hold on her and towed her 10 feet farther. He then obtained footing, pulled Mrs. Kratts to an upright position, and pushed her into the arms of a man who had moved onto the rocks at the water’s edge. Two policemen arrived and aided in getting Mrs. Kratts onto the bank. 44840-4394
44840 – 4394
44840-4394