George Mesko, Jr., saved Edward Sharp from drowning, Rahway, New Jersey, December 21, 1951. Edward, 14, schoolboy, who was heavily clothed, fell into the Rahway River from a bridge, was submerged briefly in cold water 10 feet deep 85 feet from the bank, and drifted floundering in a current of two m.p.h. Alighting from an automobile, Mesko, 26, pipe coverer, ran to the bank and removing only his shoes plunged into the water in which there were floating fragments of ice. Mesko swam 100 feet to Edward and took hold of his coat collar. He kept Edward’s head above the surface with effort and towed him 100 feet to water five feet deep six feet from the bank. He had difficulty obtaining footing because of jagged debris on the bottom and grasped a tree trunk which extended from the bank. A man climbed outward on the tree trunk and aided Edward from the water as Mesko continued to the bank. Edward was treated for shock and exposure at a hospital. Mesko was chilled and nervous. Both recovered. 42494-3806
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