Herbert Thomas Ryerson attempted to save John Nigosanti from drowning, Lyme, Connecticut, February 24, 1932. Nigosanti, 50, laborer, fell from a bridge into water 20 feet deep in the Lieutenant River and drifted in a current of 4 m.p.h. Thin ice, which was covered with water three inches deep, extended from the bank almost to the point to which he fell. The temperature was about 19 degrees. Many men were on the bridge. Ryerson, 21, bridgeman, who was heavily clothed and was perspiring freely, ran to the end of the bridge, descended to the bank, and dived. He was unaware of the ice, which broke under the impact of his dive. Breaking ice with his arms, he swam toward Nigosanti. When he was 25 feet from the bank and within 15 feet of Nigosanti, Nigosanti disappeared under ice. Ryerson then turned and swam to the bank. He was somewhat dazed and suffered from shock. Nigosanti was drowned.
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