John W. Bush helped to save Cheryl E. Morgan from drowning, Sherkston, Ontario, August 6, 1961. When she was submerged by a breaker in Lake Erie, and carried away from shore, Cheryl, 16, swallowed some water and surfaced flailing wildly. She called for help 270 feet from the beach in water seven feet deep between waves three to four feet high. John, 17, swam 50 feet to Cheryl, who grasped him around the neck and climbed on to his shoulders, causing him to be submerged. Freeing himself, he surfaced behind Cheryl and took hold of her. With difficulty as Cheryl continued to struggle, John moved her toward shore. Because he was making slow progress and tiring rapidly, he then submerged, found purchase on the bottom, and held Cheryl so that her head was above water. Cheryl continued to struggle as John, surfacing for air at intervals, moved her closer to shore from under water. John was nearly exhausted when Thomas J. Boergers reached them after swimming 100 feet. Cheryl grasped Boergers around the neck and climbed onto him forcing him under water and then releasing him. Beneath the surface, Boergers placed both hands under Cheryl and pushed her upwards and toward shore. Rising at times for air, Boergers pushed Cheryl farther toward the beach and became winded and tired. John waded to them and aided Boergers with Cheryl. All were greatly fatigued by the time they reached shore.
46042 – 4665
46042-4665