Violet F. Peterson saved Florence M. Enslow from drowning, Port Orchard, Washington, December 21, 1959. When Mrs. Enslow, 70, started her automobile in a parking lot on the shore of Sinclair Inlet, the, two-door sedan plunged 30 feet down a steep bank and into the water, where its momentum carried it away from shore. As the automobile began to sink in water 15 feet deep, Mrs. Enslow thrust her head through a window opening and shouted that she could not swim. Mrs. Peterson, 31, homemaker, the only person then in the parking lot, removed her coat and shoes and descended the rocky bank, calling to Mrs. Enslow to get on top of the sedan. Entering the cold water, she swam 80 feet to the automobile, which by that time had submerged almost to the windows, and took hold of Mrs. Enslow, who had climbed partly out of the window nearest the bank. Mrs. Peterson then drew up her feet and pushed off from the side of the sedan, pulling Mrs. Enslow from the automobile, which tipped away from them and sank. Tiring rapidly, Mrs. Peterson with effort towed Mrs. Enslow 80 feet to shore. Others carried Mrs. Enslow to the top of the bank, where she suffered a fatal heart attack. Mrs. Peterson was nearly exhausted but recovered.
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