Myrna D. Rivet, 15, schoolgirl, helped to save Mary J. Mason, 11, from drowning, Falco, Alabama, August 14, 1954. A motorboat in which Mary, Myrna, Mildred D. Mason, and Ted F. Ramer were riding in Blue Lake was swamped and sank in deep water 260 feet from the bank. Mary, who rose two feet from Ramer, seized him and pulled him beneath the surface. He broke free as they rose and with difficulty aided Mary to within reach of Myrna, who was treading water six feet from Mildred. Myrna extended an arm to Mary, who lunged at Myrna and got hold of her around the neck. They were submerged briefly before Myrna could wrench Mary’s arms from her neck. She thrust Mary three feet toward Mildred. Then Myrna and Mildred swam behind Mary and began alternately pushing her toward a post which projected two feet above the water 140 feet away and 35 feet from wadable water. After progressing 120 feet toward the post with Mary, Myrna tired badly and suffered a cramp. Unable to give further aid to Mary, Myrna with great effort swam to the post. Mildred towed Mary to the post, and all clung to it for support. Ramer, who had swallowed much water, swam slowly to within 10 feet of the post but became exhausted and could make no further progress. Mildred swam to Ramer and towed him to the post, which he clasped tightly as Mildred and Myrna helped support him. A young man who was a good swimmer swam 150 feet to the post, which was swaying under the combined weight of Ramer and the girls. Ramer by then was semiconscious. To prevent Ramer from submerging, the young man removed Ramer’s shirt and fastened him to the post with it. He then took hold of Mary and towed her within 20 feet of the bank to a boy, who aided her to the bank. The father of Mildred entered the water pushing a log eight feet long, which he and the young man towed to the post. Ramer was unfastened from the post and placed on the log. Myrna and Mildred obtained holds on the log and assisted the men in propelling it to the bank. Ramer was revived. Mary was nauseated, and Myrna and Mildred were tired. All recovered. 43419-3979
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43419-3979