Herbert C. L. Shearer saved Norrea Jean Nefferdors from drowning, Chesapeake, West Virginia, August 17, 1967. Miss Nefferdors, 14, who could not swim, was wading on a boat ramp leading into the Kanawha River when she lost her footing and fell face down in the water. Her struggles carried her into deeper water. Her aunt ran to a nearby restaurant and reported the situation to Shearer, 43, storekeeper, who ran to the bank alongside the ramp. He did not see Miss Nefferdors, but he noticed air bubbles at the surface of the water. Shearer, a very poor swimmer, kicked off his shoes and plunged into the river. He was winded by the time he reached the bubbles about 25 feet front the bank. Shearer dived to the bottom in deep water and brought Miss Nefferdors to the surface. She was unconscious, and he was gasping for breath. Towing Miss Nefferdors, Shearer swam back to the bank. By then he was nearly exhausted. Others aided them from the water. Miss Nefferdors was revived.
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