Herbert North Thomas saved Edith L. Dodson from drowning, Clemmons, North Carolina, June 17, 1934. At night, a young man with Miss Dodson, 18, holding to him swam in the Yadkin River within five feet of another man, who sat on a timber boom 50 feet from the bank. The other man accidentally fell from the boom and collided with Miss Dodson and her companion, causing them to become separated. All three were submerged, and the other man did not reappear and was drowned. Miss Dodson’s companion swam a stroke or two toward her and then swam to the bank. Miss Dodson drifted in a current of 3 m.p.h. toward turbines under housing that extended from the bank to a dam. Three of the turbines were operating, and there were many swirls within 100 feet of them. Thomas, 24, gasoline service station manager, saw Miss Dodson’s arm at the surface 35 feet from the bank. He quickly removed his outer clothing, dived from the bank, and swam to a point about 40 feet out. He dived and groped, and then rose, drifted 60 feet toward the turbines, and again dived and groped. He drifted 60 feet farther and again dived. He rose within 60 feet of the turbines and, seeing Miss Dodson within five feet of him, lunged and grasped her. He then tried to swim against the current but could make no progress. Holding Miss Dodson by the hair and heading toward the bank, he swam with the utmost exertion. Meanwhile, men on the bank joined hands, and one of them waded three feet. Supporting Miss Dodson, Thomas swam 35 feet, and the man in the water grasped his hand. Thomas and Miss Dodson then were pulled upon the bank. Miss Dodson was unconscious but was revived.
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