Anna M. Martuscelli saved Richard E. Berton from drowning, Wayland, Massachusetts, August 13, 1966. When Berton, 54, who could not swim, attempted to retrieve a ball from a large pond, he stepped into water beyond his depth and was submerged briefly. Mrs. Martuscelli, 68, housewife, saw Berton floundering and ran 60 feet to a bank of the pond. She removed her shoes, entered the water, and swam 25 feet to Berton, who then was in water eight feet deep 10 feet from another bank. Berton outweighed Mrs. Martuscelli by at least 30 pounds. He was in panic, having been submerged briefly again and having taken in water. Berton began to sink again, but Mrs. Martuscelli held him up by the hair. He grasped her around the neck. Mrs. Martuseelli broke Berton’s hold and then towed him 10 feet to the nearest bank, where a man aided her in removing him from the water.
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