Nellie J. Parker, 23, teacher, helped to save Jane L. Ashcraft, 15, from drowning, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, May 23, 1953. Jane, who could not swim, waded into the Atlantic Ocean from a beach and was swept off her feet by waves and carried into deep water beyond a line of breakers. Miss Parker waded from shore, swam through the rough surf which extended 165 feet from shore, and continued through swells 2.5 feet high. She overtook Jane 550 feet from shore and obtained a hold on her. Jane briefly seized Miss Parker’s arm but released her when Miss Parker urged her not to struggle. With great effort Miss Parker towed Jane 315 feet toward shore. Two men each pushing a rubber life raft swam to Miss Parker and Jane and lifted the latter onto one of the rafts. Miss Parker took hold of the other raft, and she and Jane were towed to wadable water and aided to shore by the men. Jane was tired and weak, and Miss Parker was fatigued and nauseated. Both recovered. 42875-3896
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42875-3896