Daniel S. Viancourt helped to save Denzil R. Moss and helped attempt to save Nancy J. Moss from drowning and burning, Cleveland, Ohio, May 9, 1993. Moss, 24; his mother, 51, and other relatives were aboard a cabin cruiser docked at a restaurant on the bank of the Cuyahoga River. An explosion in the boat threw them into the water. Viancourt, 34, off-duty firefighter, and two of his brothers were nearby on the dock and witnessed the explosion. They ran to the boat, which had started to burn. One of Viancourt’s brothers boarded the boat and recovered an infant from the debris and handed him to Viancourt. Flames grew on the boat, producing dense black smoke, and spread to the dock, restaurant, and a fuel slick on the water in the vicinity. After Moss was seen in the water at the rear of the burning boat, Viancourt and his brothers entered the river for him. Facing blistering heat, Viancourt approached Moss with a boathook, then snagged him and passed him to his brothers. They took Moss to a state patrol boat that had arrived, aided by one of the officers from the boat. Mrs. Moss was then seen floating near the burning boat. Viancourt, his brothers, and the officer swam toward her, Viancourt swimming a distance under the burning dock in his rescue attempt. Repulsed by flames, Viancourt and his brothers returned to the patrol boat, where they helped to fight the fire. Mrs. Moss was later retrieved by Viancourt’s brothers, but she could not be revived. Moss was hospitalized but died several days later. The infant also was hospitalized, and he recovered. Viancourt was treated at a hospital emergency room for minor injuries, and he recovered.
68178 – 7846
68178-7846