John Resko, 54, bridge tender, died attempting to save Florence Joan Berger, 14, from drowning, New York, New York, June 3, 1943. Florence and a younger girl who were wading on a ledge in the Harlem River, got into water beyond their depth and took hold of each other. They were submerged several times, drifted in a current of three m.p.h., and became separated. Florence drifted toward a bridge, and the other girl sank and was drowned. Resko dived from a pier of the bridge and in water 18 feet deep swam 65 feet to Florence, who then was 160 feet from the bank. Resko swam towing Florence 60 feet toward the pier; but drifting past it in turbulent water, they were drowned. 39897-3327
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