Geraldine L. Miller

Geraldine L. Miller, 17, schoolgirl, helped to save Mildred McNiece, 23, from drowning, Newfoundland, Pennsylvania, August 19, 1955. At night an automobile in which Mrs. McNiece and her 21-year-old sister were riding stalled on a highway covered by the rising floodwaters of Wallenpaupack Creek. The women, who alighted from the car, accidentally stepped into deep water and became separated in a current of about 3 m.p.h. Mrs. McNiece was swept downstream into a wooded area and got hold of a tree 175 feet from the bank. It was raining, and visibility was very poor. The sister reached wadable water, and a man aided her to the bank. He and two other men searched but were unable to locate Mrs. McNiece. Her calls for help were heard several hours later, and Miss Miller and others ran to the bank. Miss Miller immediately volunteered to go to the aid of Mrs. McNiece. With a 100-foot rope tied around her waist and held by men on the bank, Miss Miller entered deep water and swam 75 feet to a tree. Two ropes totaling 85 feet in length were added to the longer rope by the men. Miss Miller, who resumed swimming, had to lift the rope to prevent it from becoming fouled on floating debris. She made slow headway to a tree 25 feet from Mrs. McNiece but still could not see her. Obtaining 25 feet of slack in the rope, Miss Miller placed the rope between her teeth. Letting out the rope as needed, she swam to Mrs. McNiece, who got hold of the rope. With Mrs. McNiece working her way along the rope ahead of Miss Miller, they moved about 30 feet at a time between trees to within 50 feet of the bank. Mrs. McNiece continued to the bank on the rope, and Miss Miller was drawn from the water by the men. Mrs. McNiece was treated for exposure and recovered. Miss Miller, who had been in the water two hours, was chilled and suffered bruises and muscular soreness.