Leo M. Nickerson, 36, carpenter, saved Herbert B. Allen and died attempting to save Peter W. Ralphs from drowning, Fallis, Alberta, July 14, 1961. Herbert, 8, Peter, 9, and a number of other cub scouts, along with Nickerson, 36, carpenter, the cub master, were swimming in wadable water over a large sand bar along the shore of Lake Wabamun when an approaching storm suddenly created waves two and a half feet high. Nickerson ordered all of the boys to leave the water and assisted several in doing so. Herbert, Peter, and two eight-year-old boys were farthest away and were swept from their footing by the waves. They called for help. Nickerson waded and swam 50 feet through the waves to Herbert, who then was 150 feet from shore. Taking hold of him by the wrist, Nickerson towed Herbert 75 feet, from where Herbert made his way safely to shore. Nickerson then waded and swam 25 feet, passing the other two boys and reaching Peter a 100 feet from shore. He took hold of Peter and turned onto his back. Holding Peter with his legs, Nickerson started to swim toward shore as the waves washed over him. The heads of Nickerson and the boys were seen briefly several times at the surface, and they then remained submerged. Searching parties later recovered the bodies of Peter, the other two boys, and finally Nickerson.
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