Harold L. Taylor saved Gregory S. Martin from suffocation, Indianapolis, Indiana, January 16, 1988. Martin, 35, oiler, was overcome by toxic fumes inside a sump pit of an avionics plant and collapsed. His supervisor observed his plight and shouted for help. Taylor, 34, buffer and polisher, heard the supervisor’s cries from nearby and went to the pit. Despite the fumes, Taylor climbed down a ladder into the pit without a breathing apparatus but quickly encountered difficulty in breathing and returned to the top of the pit for air. He then climbed back down the ladder, picked up Martin, and carried him partway up. Again Taylor began to feel the effects of the fumes, and, after securing Martin to the ladder, he returned to the top of the pit. A third time Taylor climbed down to Martin. He carried Martin to the top of the pit, where others pulled him out, then aided Taylor out. Both men required hospital treatment for exposure to toxic gases. Taylor recovered.
63065 – 7351
63065-7351