Margaret E. Smith, 15, schoolgirl, helped to save Gregory A. Goodman, 10, schoolboy, from drowning, Middleville, New York, June 9, 1959. While wading in a creek, Gregory, who could not swim, got into water beyond his depth, was submerged briefly, and began flailing his arms wildly as he drifted farther from the bank. Another 10-year-old boy reached Gregory but, finding him too heavy to tow, returned to the bank. Miss Smith was attracted and entered the water fully clothed except for shoes. She swam 30 feet and reached Gregory in water eight feet deep where he was submerging intermittently, flailing his arms each time he surfaced. Treading water, Miss Smith grasped Gregory’s head with both hands and held him at the surface. Gregory put both arms about the neck of Miss Smith for support. Using only her legs, Miss Smith with difficulty swam almost erect 10 feet toward the bank pushing Gregory, her efforts impeded by her clothing and Gregory’s weight. Nearly exhausted and unable to touch bottom, she called for a girl friend who was a fair swimmer to come to her aid. As the girl waded toward her, Miss Smith with much effort moved five feet farther toward the bank with Gregory and secured footing. The other girl waded to her and helped take Gregory to the bank.
44750 – 4275
44750-4275