S. Lamar Hinton saved Hilda C. Broomhall from drowning, Ridgeland, Mississippi, June 22, 1960. While swimming in the Pearl River, Hilda, 16, became exhausted and called for help as she submerged intermittently in deep water 50 feet from a steep rocky bank. Although she was a very poor swimmer, Hilda’s older sister, F. Aileen Broomhall, entered the water and swam toward her. Hinton, 35, business machine engineer, was attracted and ran 250 feet to the bank, from where he saw only Hilda in the water. Undressing to his undershorts, Hinton swam to Hilda, who then was inert, and towed her back to the bank. Meanwhile Harvey Brown, 44, had run 400 feet to the bank. He aided Hinton in removing Hilda from the water. Brown’s attention then was attracted to Aileen, who was struggling to stay afloat. Although he was tired and winded and had not swum for several years, Brown entered the water without delaying to remove any of his clothing. He swam 110 feet against the current to Aileen, who submerged just before he reached her. Brown drew Aileen to the surface and, too tired to support her and keep himself afloat at the same time, began alternately swimming and pushing her downstream. By the time he had moved Aileen 35 feet, Brown was nearly exhausted and called for assistance. Hinton and a fisherman started swimming toward them from opposite directions. The fisherman reached Aileen first and towed her to the bank. Hinton and Brown also swam to the bank. Hilda revived. Brown was nearly exhausted but recovered.
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