James A. Torch saved Karen M. Broughton from drowning, Welland, Ontario, March 10, 1967. When she ventured onto ice which covered the Welland River, Karen, 4, broke through at a spongy spot 150 feet from the bank. She screamed for help while keeping herself at the surface of deep water by holding to the edge of the hole. Among those attracted was Torch, 37, automobile assembler, a very poor swimmer. Fearing that Karen might drown before help could arrive with rescue aids, Torch moved onto the ice and dropped to a prone position. He crawled to the hole, at times moving around soft spots in the ice. When Torch tried to pull Karen out, the ice broke under his shoulder, which dipped into the water. Torch drew Karen out of the hole. He kept his arm around her and guided her past the spongy spots as they crawled to within 10 feet of the bank. Torch then got to his feet and carried Karen the rest of the way.
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