Mary Linda Hull helped to save Karen E. Velvin from drowning, Carthage, Texas, June 12, 1960. In wading into a lake after a beach ball, Karen, 11, stepped into deep water and was submerged briefly. Unable to swim, she struggled to stay afloat and called for help. Hearing her cries, Mary Linda, 12, schoolgirl, followed by her 13-year-old sister, Sharon Louise, dived into the water and swam 85 feet to Karen, who was struggling wildly in water 11 feet deep 30 feet from the bank. Karen grasped Mary Linda by the arm and pulled her beneath the surface twice before Sharon Louise reached them. Although struck in the eye by Karen’s flailing arm, Sharon Louise pulled her away from Mary Linda. Karen then attempted to grasp Sharon Louise, striking her several times. Sharon Louise thrust her arms aside and took hold of her by the wrist. She and her sister then towed Karen 15 feet to wadable water, from where they took her to the bank.
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