Elizabeth Seabrook, 15, schoolgirl, saved C. Joyce Riser, 14, from drowning, Charleston, South Carolina, July 29, 1957. While bathing in the Stono River, Miss Riser, who was unable to swim, got into deep water and called for help. Two youths who were fair swimmers attempted to aid Miss Riser, who grasped each boy in turn and forced him beneath the surface as the current carried them downstream. Each youth freed himself and returned to the bank. Miss Seabrook was attracted and swam 40 feet to Miss Riser, who then was in water 10 feet deep 45 feet from the nearest bank. Miss Riser threw her arms around Miss Seabrook’s neck, causing both to be submerged. With difficulty Miss Seabrook freed herself and then returned to the surface. She grasped the hair of Miss Riser and lifted her head above the surface. Miss Riser did not struggle further as Miss Seabrook swam towing her with the current 50 feet to beneath a bridge which at that point was eight feet above the water. Miss Seabrook then grasped the last in a row of concrete pillars, preventing Miss Riser and herself from being carried into a much wider area of the river beyond the bridge. Miss Seabrook held to the pillar and supported Miss Riser until a rope with a bucket attached was lowered to them by a man on the bridge. Clinging to the bucket, Miss Riser and then Miss Seabrook was drawn to the bank as the man walked along the bridge pulling the other end of the rope. Both Miss Riser and Miss Seabrook suffered cuts from sharp oyster shells which were around the bridge pillar. They recovered.
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