Lene Romer saved Sydney Walker from drowning, Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts, March 27, 1962. When their sailboat capsized in deep water in the harbor at Vineyard Haven, Walker, 30, medical student, started to swim to shore but his companion feared he could not make it and clung to the boat. Air temperature was 35 degrees. Two hundred feet from shore Walker was exhausted from effects of the cold water and just floated upright in his life jacket. Miss Romer, 22, governess, who was walking on the beach, was attracted. Removing all of her attire except her under clothing and sweater, she waded and swam through choppy waves up to 18 inches high and reached Walker who weighed 50 pounds more than she. Securing a head hold, Miss Romer towed Walker to wadable water 15 feet from shore. Walker was unable to assist Miss Romer, whose movements began to slow because of effects of the cold water. Two men waded to Miss Romer and aided in taking Walker the rest of the way to the beach. Walker was removed to a hospital and recovered. Before others could reach Walker’s companion who had lost his life jacket, he slipped from the boat and drowned.
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