Edwin F. Symons, 26, electrician, saved Mary A. Maxwell, 9, from drowning, Sloatsburg, New York, December 10, 1911. Mary, who could not swim, was walking on the ice on Allen’s Pond when the ice broke and she fell into water over six feet deep 18 feet from the bank. She threw her arms on the ice and called for help. Symons reached the scene, and, after failing to pull her out by means of a rope, he waded a few feet and swam to her, breaking the ice before him. He grabbed Mary and swam toward the bank with her, but he made little progress, and each time he attempted to push Mary, he went beneath the surface. When halfway to the bank, his strength was nearly spent, and he left Mary and swam to the bank alone. He was nearly exhausted, and he was helped from the water. After being at the bank a moment, Symons saw Mary beneath the surface 10 feet from the bank. He plunged into the water, swam to her, and took her to the bank. She was revived. 7717-794
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