G. Lindell Ellegood died attempting to save W. Carie Hayden from suffocation, Fancy Farm, Kentucky, August 19, 1953. Hayden, 39, was overcome from a deficiency of oxygen in a cistern 16 feet deep. Numerous townspeople, including Ellegood, 32, carpenter, arrived. When Ellegood descended a ladder into the cistern and then called out that he needed help in removing Hayden, another man who had responded descended the ladder. Ellegood lifted Hayden partially, and, breathing with difficulty, the other man also obtained a hold on him. Ellegood suddenly released Hayden and fell atop him. As the other man turned Ellegood over, Ellegood mumbled to him to leave the cistern, and he then lost consciousness. Dizzy and nauseated, the other man climbed to the top of the ladder and was pulled from the opening. Although weak, he climbed down the ladder again, with a rope tied to him. The man fastened a light chain around Ellegood’s chest and then was drawn out of the cistern. Ellegood was lifted toward the top of the cistern but became caught and dangled head downward. At the other man’s request, he was lowered head first to Ellegood. He seized Ellegood by the hair, and they were pulled from the cistern. Hayden was drawn to the surface by others nearly 45 minutes after he was overcome. Neither he nor Ellegood could be revived. 42967-3910
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