Edward Mark Glynn, 28, laborer, saved Allan J. MacDonald, 45, carpenter, from an impending fatal fall, Everett, Massachusetts, June 19, 1956. MacDonald, Stephen A. Quinn, 31, and seven other workmen were at the top of a 75 foot concrete chimney on a platform supporting staging with which steel construction forms were being hoisted. When the supporting cables broke, the platform fell, carrying one man to his death and injuring six others. MacDonald and Quinn each grasped one of many steel reinforcing rods projecting from the top of the uncompleted chimney and hung inside the rim, which was littered with boards and planks caught between the rods. Other debris was caught in the forms, which had slid part way down over the outside of the chimney, blocking the top of a steel ladder attached to the side. The accident was witnessed by Glynn, a ground worker, who saw the head and shoulders of MacDonald above the rim of the chimney. Glynn, who was unaccustomed to heights and unfamiliar with the construction of the chimney, ascended the ladder and climbed over the buckled forms and entangled debris to the top of the chimney. He then saw that Quinn also was hanging inside the chimney at a lower position than MacDonald. Both men being the same distance from him, Glynn moved three feet toward Quinn, making his way among the debris and twisted rods on the rim, which was only nine and a half inches wide. Quinn then said, “I’m all right. Grab him.” As Glynn moved back toward MacDonald, Quinn fell to the bottom of the chimney and suffered fatal injuries. Although greatly affected by seeing Quinn fall, Glynn with difficulty reached MacDonald and, sitting astride the rim, supported him for 15 minutes until a crane was moved to the chimney. Others assisted Glynn and MacDonald into the crane’s bucket, and they were lowered to the ground. MacDonald suffered head and back injuries from falling debris and was hospitalized for a week. Glynn was nervous and sustained bruises. Both recovered. 43963-4086
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