James L. Anderson saved Masazi Kakihara from suffocation, Palma Ceia, Florida, January 12, 1932. While fumigating with hydrocyanic-acid gas and a mixture of creosote and oil under a building, Kakihara, 59, fumigating company proprietor, was overcome and became unconscious. The floor of the building was 18 inches above the ground, and the space beneath the floor was enclosed by a foundation of concrete, in which were several openings. A member of the fire department and another man, each of whom wore a gas mask, made efforts to pass through a gap in the foundation that was 40 inches wide and then backed out. The fire chief then refused to allow others to enter, but in his absence Anderson, 40, building contractor, who did not wear the mask, attached a loop at the end of a rope on his ankle and entered the gap. He crawled 25 feet to Kakihara, leaned over a gas pipe that extended between him and Kakihara, lifted Kakihara’s legs over the pipe, and shifted the position of Kakihara’s body. His exertions caused him to breathe, and he felt he was about to be overcome. He quickly removed the the loop from his ankle and put it over one of Kakihara’s feet. Anderson then crawled to the gap and got out, and Kakihara was quickly drawn out. Anderson was temporarily affected but soon recovered. Kakihara recovered. 31858-2666
31858 – 2666
31858-2666