Thomas C. Ritson, Jr., 14, schoolboy, saved Pauline M., 14, and Madeline E. Mench, 16, from drowning, Adamsburg, Pennsylvania, July 13, 1925. While wading in a reservoir, Pauline stepped into water six feet deep and began to thresh, sinking once or twice at a point 14 feet from the bank. Madeline extended her hand to Pauline, and Pauline pulled her into deep water and then grasped her around the neck. In the struggle that followed, they became separated, and Madeline moved eight feet farther from the bank and sank. Thomas, who was a poor swimmer, swam a few feet to Pauline, who grasped his wrist as he took hold of her. He freed himself and, avoiding her attempts to grasp him again, pushed her from behind to wadable water. Although winded and frightened, he then swam to a point where he saw bubbles; holding his nose, he submerged himself until his foot touched Madeline. Grasping her hair with one hand, he came to the surface and swam 18 feet to wadable water. Madeline, who was unconscious, was revived. 25398-2044
25398 – 2044
25398-2044