Andrew M. Sullivan, Jr., 28, reactor operator, attempted to save A. Gordon Combs, Jr., 40, chemical engineer, from suffocation, Nashville, Tennessee, August 23, 1956. At a chemical plant Combs was conducting an experiment using a chemical reactor, which suddenly began emitting chemical fumes having a strong odor. Combs told two other men who were with him to leave the one-room building while be tried to adjust the reactor, which was located on a balcony 15 feet above the floor. Sullivan, who earlier had been assisting with the experiment, arrived and met the men after they had emerged from the building. Through the open doors and windows dense misty fumes could be seen spreading rapidly throughout the room. Combs then called for help. A gas mask quickly was obtained, and Sullivan put it on with the help of the men, who were forced to remain 20 feet from the building because of the fumes. Combs again called for help, screaming that he could not see. Ignoring pleas not to do so, Sullivan entered the building. Unable to see in the dense fumes, he tripped and fell. He crawled along the floor until he encountered a familiar object, from which he crawled to the nearest door and thence outside. He had been inside the building several minutes. During that time Combs, who had made his way to a window on the balcony, climbed through it and, securing holds on the outside wall, descended to the ground. Both men were removed to a hospital, where Combs died within three hours and Sullivan died the following day
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