Beryl Dianne Kearney, 12, schoolgirl, saved Jimmie G. Abrams, 52, children’s nurse, from drowning, Money, Mississippi, May 26, 1955. Mrs. Abrams was in charge of Beryl Dianne and her twin sisters, 9, who were fishing from the bank of the Tallahatchie River. In attempting to retrieve a fishing pole, Mrs. Abrams became dizzy, lost consciousness, and toppled into the river. Telling the twins to get help, Beryl Dianne ran 30 feet to the walk, where she entered water three feet deep fully clothed and wearing boots. By then Mrs. Abrams had submerged from sight in the muddy water, and Beryl Dianne probed with both hands but could not locate her. She then returned to the walk and took off her boots. As she started to remove her shoes, she saw Mrs. Abrams at the surface eight feet from the bank in water eight feet deep. Beryl Dianne re-entered the water and swam 20 feet to Mrs. Abrams, who floated face downward. Beryl Dianne trod water and turned the woman onto her back. She then swam eight feet to the steep bank, towing Mrs, Abrams, who remained inert. Unable to lift Mrs. Abrams because of her weight, Beryl Dianne pushed her far enough onto the bank to keep her head out of the water. She could not stand on the grassy sloping bottom and, kicking her feet, continued to support Mrs. Abrams until two other persons arrived and pulled the nurse from the water. Beryl Dianne climbed onto the bank without assistance. Mrs. Abrams regained consciousness shortly and recovered in two days. Beryl Dianne was tired but recovered. 43476-4035
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