Herbert Austin Reed, 37, garage manager, saved Marian L. Abbott, 21; Mildred M. Eddy, 25, and Grace Blance, 20, and attempted to save Bessie R. Eddy, 20, from drowning, Ashuelot, New Hampshire, May 4, 1918. Reed’s automobile, in which he and the women were riding at night, was struck by a passing automobile, and it went into the Ashuelot River. All were thrown into the water 10 to 12 feet deep. Reed grasped Miss Abbott and swam a few strokes with her to wadable water. He then swam to Miss Blance, who clung to an automobile cushion about 15 feet from the bank. He was about to take hold of her when he saw Mildred Eddy five feet from Miss Blance in greater danger of drowning, and he went to her and swam with her to Miss Blance. He then pushed Miss Blance ahead of Mildred Eddy and himself and swam to the bank. Reed ran a short distance along the bank and swam to Bessie Eddy, who was almost unconscious. He swam 20 feet with her to a point about eight feet from the bank and then could go no farther and sank. He rose and tried to swim still holding to Miss Eddy but could not. He released his hold, and she sank and was drowned. Reed swam about four feet, stumbled to the bank, and fell exhausted. 19467-1663
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