William C. Koepp, 22, road grader operator, died as the result of attempting to save Willard C. Patterson, 17, farmhand, from drowning, Oliphant, Ontario, August 3, 1952. While swimming in deep water in Lake Huron 60 feet from a dock, Willard suffered leg cramps, was submerged briefly, and called for help. Koepp swam to Willard, who lunged at him and tried to climb upon him. Marjorie I. McKenzie, who had heard Willard and Koepp calling for aid, dived from the dock and swam to them. As she arrived, Willard and Koepp broke free of each other, and Koepp, who was nearly 100 pounds heavier than Marjorie, seized her around the neck. They sank together, Marjorie forcibly freeing herself. Obtaining a hold on Koepp, she brought him to the surface. He was inert. Marjorie towed Koepp 20 feet toward the dock and was met by two men operating a motorboat. The men drew Koepp out of the water. Returning to Willard, who barely was afloat, Marjorie momentarily submerged behind him and lifted him upward at the hips, supporting him until the men in the motorboat reached them. Willard soon revived. He and Koepp were taken to the dock. Marjorie swam to the dock. Koepp could not be revived. Willard recovered. 3887-43987
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