Helen Hecht attempted to save Josephine W. Tape from drowning, Taughannock Falls, New York, June 3, 1940. While swimming in a pool at the foot of a heavy waterfall 200 feet high, Mrs. Tape, 25, drifted in strong, irregular currents to a point 35 feet from the fall and 25 feet from an island and was unable to swim to the island. The water was turbulent and deep. From the island Miss Hecht, 24, student, swam to Mrs. Tape, who took hold of her bathing-suit. With great effort they swam toward the island, making slow progress; and Miss Hecht called to Henry S. Birnbaum for aid for Mrs. Tape. Birnbaum waded and swam 20 feet to a point six feet from the woman. He than sank and was drowned. After having swum 20 feet, Miss Hecht reached water neck-deep. Mrs. Tape released her hold, tried to stand, and was drawn back to a point 25 feet from the island. Miss Hecht swam to Mrs. Tape, who again took hold of her bathing-suit. They swam 20 feet toward the island, and Mrs. Tape released her hold and was drawn back to their starting-point. Miss Hecht, who was greatly fatigued and winded, scrambled to the island. Her back was somewhat lame from exertion. At her request for aid for Mrs. Tape, Wilhelmina Holloway waded and swam 25 feet to Mrs. Tape, took hold of her, tried to swim toward the island, but made no headway. Her hold suddenly came free, and she sank and was drowned. Jean Dow Bacher waded and then swam to Mrs. Tape and towed her to a point five feet from the island. They then were carried back for 15 feet and became separated. A young man waded from the island, extended a pole to Mrs. Bacher, and pulled her to wadable water. He then got hold of Mrs. Tape and pulled her to wadable water. She collapsed but was revived. 38439-3183
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