George C. Pugh, 29, electrician, saved V. Dominick Scianni, 38, laborer, and attempted to save Irving A. Merrill, 47, labor foreman, from suffocation, Utica, New York, May 8, 1931. Pugh arrived as Getz was entering the pit, and he saw Getz hauled out unconscious. Pugh put on the respirator and with a rope tied around him descended the ladder and tied a rope to Scianni. He held his breath as much as possible. He then climbed to the surface with some aid from men who pulled on the rope and fell in a dazed condition. Scianni was then pulled out. Pugh was revived in two or three minutes, and, wearing a gas mask, he descended to rescue Merrill. He was affected by the fumes and climbed out almost at once in a dazed condition. He was again revived. An older man was about to descend for Merrill, and Pugh, although weak, volunteered to go in his place. Wearing the respirator, he descended the ladder and tied the rope on Merrill, was helped up the ladder by means of the rope, and then became unconscious. He was revived and was disabled two weeks. (See case of IRVING A. MERRILL.)
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