McKenzie Anne Perry helped to save Betty R. Kindley from drowning, Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina, June 25, 2006. Kindley, 55, was wading in the Atlantic Ocean with a friend when a rip current developed and swept both women a far distance from shore. Kindley held to her friend, who could not swim. Perry, 20, college student, was on the beach in the vicinity when she was alerted to the situation. Although she could not see the victims, due to their distance from shore and rough surf, she immediately entered the water and swam out to Kindley, reaching her after sighting her en route. Kindley’s friend had expired by then, and Perry urged Kindley to part with her. Coached by Perry, Kindley turned onto her back and began to swim toward shore. Of others who had entered the water in rescue attempts, only another woman swam out. She joined Kindley and Perry and also aided Kindley in swimming toward shore by coaching her. After several minutes, when the women were about 300 feet from shore, a responding firefighter arrived on a personal watercraft and, with Kindley aboard, took the women to safety. The women were nearly exhausted after the rescue, and they recovered.
79652 – 9115
79652-9115