Charles J. Yodkins, Sr., 43, policeman, died attempting to help save Robert C. Frey, 58, laborer, his wife, 51, and their daughter, 16, from drowning, Unionville, Connecticut, August 19, 1955. When heavy rains caused dams to burst in the Farmington River and flood-waters stranded the Frey family and others in their homes near the river, Yodkins, who was a volunteer fireman and had been assisting others in evacuation efforts elsewhere, went to the area and learned that a number of persons were in need of help. Yodkins then inquired about a boat and Joseph J. Morin, Jr., volunteered to take his motor-boat and accompany him in an effort to evacuate persons in the area. With Morin piloting the boat past others whom they considered to be in less danger, the two men proceeded 800 feet to the Frey home, where the water was five feet deep and rising rapidly. When Yodkins and Morin attempted to get Mrs. Frey into the boat, she fell into the water, whereupon her daughter jumped into the boat, causing it to capsize. Frey also entered the water, and all five persons disappeared from sight in the swift current. When daylight came Morin and another man were seen in a tree 300 feet from the former location of the Frey house, which had been carried away. Just before the tree was swept away Morin was seen to remove some of his clothing and dive into the water, reappearing momentarily in the strong current. The bodies of Yodkins, Frey, and his daughter were found after the floodwaters had receded, but the bodies of Mrs. Frey and Morin were not recovered. 43808-4067
43808 – 4067
43808-4067