Rosemary McKee, 17, school-girl, saved William L. Cooper, 21, automobile salesman, from drowning, Syracuse, Indiana, July 4, 1948. While on water skis towed by a motor-boat in which Miss McKee, her sister and two others were riding on Lake Wawasee, Cooper fell into water 10 feet deep 350 feet from the bank. Apprised of the accident, Miss McKee’s sister, who operated the boat, made a turn and stopped the boat 20 feet from Cooper, who was a poor swimmer and was submerged briefly twice. Miss McKee then jumped into the water and swam to Cooper. She took hold of him and tried to knock him unconscious by slapping him; but Cooper grasped her tightly around the waist, and they were submerged. As they rose, Miss McKee was unable to free herself; but Cooper, beginning to lose consciousness, soon released her. Obtaining a hold beneath his chin, Miss McKee swam towing him 15 feet and then was aided to the boat by her sister. Cooper was lifted into the boat and given artificial respiration and revived 45 minutes later. He suffered from shock and had water in his lungs but recovered. Miss McKee was fatigued.
41534 – 3621
41534-3621