Andor E. Knutson, 23, laborer, died as the result of saving A. Charlene Tewell, 17, from drowning, Newcastle, Wyoming, August 8, 1949. While swimming in a lake, the bottom of which declined abruptly 135 feet from the bank, Charlene became tired and twice was submerged briefly in water 16 feet deep 150 feet from the bank. Her calls for help attracted her mother, who was on the bank but who could not swim. The mother hailed Knutson and another man, who were driving near the lake. Knutson and the other man, both of whom had just performed eight hours of manual labor, alighted from the automobile. Removing only his shoes, Knutson waded 125 feet into the lake and swam 25 feet to Charlene. At Knutson’s direction, she took hold of his shirt at the back, and he towed her 10 feet toward the bank. Charlene released her hold, and they trod water separately. The other man, who could swim only ten feet, waded to within five feet of Knutson and extended an arm toward him. He sank at the drop off and did not reappear. Fifteen seconds later, Knutson also sank. Meanwhile, Charlene, who had rested while holding to Knutson, swam a short distance to wadable water. The bodies of Knutson and the other man were recovered the following morning. 3669-41843
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