John Edward Laughery saved Bertha C. McCormack from drowning, Mill Run, Pennsylvania, July 20, 1921. Miss McCormack, 37, jumped into water over her depth in Indian Creek, went under the surface, rose, and was unable to swim in her fright. John, 12, school boy, jumped from a bridge 10 feet to the water and swam seven feet to Miss McCormack, who was floating in a dazed condition with her head under the surface. Before he could take hold of her, she grasped him by the hair and drew him under the surface. He freed himself, grasped Miss McCormack, and swam with her seven feet to a pier, where she got an insecure hold. John continued to swim and supported her. Miss McCormack grasped a coat, which was lowered from the bridge, and a boy jumped from the bridge and supported Miss McCormack while John swam a short distance to shallow water for a board. He took the board to Miss McCormack, and she was drawn by John and his companion to shallow water. 21649-1716
21649 – 1716
21649-1716