Harry J. Stokes, aged thirty-one, lineman, died attempting to save Marguerite V. Simpler from drowning, Margate City, New Jersey, August 13, 1936. While Miss Simpler, 15, and another girl were wading in the Atlantic Ocean, a wave knocked them from their feet; and they held to each other and drifted farther from shore. Miss Simpler’s companion freed herself and swam and drifted away and was later rescued by a life-guard. Miss Simpler drifted to a point 125 feet from shore, where the water was six and a half feet deep. From shore Stokes, 31, lineman, waded and then swam 75 feet to Miss Simpler, who became unconscious and was submerged. Stokes with one arm made occasional strokes but remained at the same point. A life-guard got within 10 feet of Stokes, and Stokes collapsed. The guard reached and took hold of Stokes, and Miss Simpler then rose from below or beside Stokes. Stokes and Miss Simpler were taken to shore, and Miss Simpler was revived. Stokes could not be revived, having died of heart collapse.
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