Eugene Francis Reilly, 22, truck driver, saved John J. O’Day, 30, oil-company treasurer, and attempted to save Joseph E. O’Day, 19, laborer, from suffocation, East Providence, Rhode Island, February 1, 1927. Joseph entered a tank car and was overcome by gasoline fumes. John descended a ladder into the tank and tried to take him up the ladder but could not. He ascended and, after attracting the attention of Reilly, again descended. Reilly soon reached the top of the tank and descended the ladder to help rescue Joseph. As Reilly reached the bottom, John collapsed. Reilly then ascended until his head was out of the tank, took hold of a rope that had just been brought, breathed deeply, and descended again. He put a loop of the rope around John and climbed up the ladder as men at the top pulled John out of the tank ahead of him. Taking a deep breath, Reilly descended again and put the rope around Joseph. Reilly was compelled to breathe while handling Joseph and became weak. He hurried up the ladder and was about to fall when a man reached into the tank and pulled him out. Joseph was then drawn out on the rope, but he could not be revived. John recovered. 27046-2244
27046 – 2244
27046-2244