Rose Mary Anderson, 17, schoolgirl, died saving Harold A. Anderson, 11, schoolboy, from drowning, Crivitz, Wisconsin, August 1, 1954. While Harold was swimming in the Peshtigo River with three boys and his cousin, Rose Mary, a powerhouse upstream began operating, increasing the current to 1.5 m.p.h. and causing the water to rise. As the five young people, all poor swimmers, began wading toward the bank, Harold lost his footing and was caught in an eddy, submerging several times. The other three boys reached safety as Rose Mary waded and swam 12 feet to Harold, who then was in unwadable water and was somewhat dazed. She pushed Harold once, moving him an appreciable distance toward the bank, where he was aided ashore by the others. Immediately after pushing Harold, Rose Mary was submerged and carried into the main current of the river. Twenty minutes later firemen who had been summoned recovered the body of Rose Mary 150 feet downstream. She could not be revived. Harold was nearly exhausted but recovered. 43686-4089
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1996-2006 Carnegie Hero Fund Commission.
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