James Stachew, 21, machine operator, saved Wilma A. Patten, 39, from drowning, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, September 30, 1952. Mrs. Patten pulled herself over a bridge railing and dropped 40 feet into deep water in the Allegheny River 190 feet from the bank. Stachew and others were attracted and ran to the railing. Although warned of the danger of entering the water from that height, Stachew without hesitation removed his coat and shoes, climbed over the railing, and jumped from the bridge. He landed erect in the water, submerging deeply, and then rose and swam 20 feet to Mrs. Patten, who was dazed. As he took hold of Mrs. Patten, Stachew saw two men heading toward him in a rowboat 600 feet away. Stachew, who was impeded by the weight of his waterlogged trousers, became increasingly tired and had difficulty keeping Mrs. Patten’s head above water as he towed her 200 feet at an angle with the current to 30 feet from the bank. There the boatmen reached Stachew and lifted Mrs. Patten from the water. She was unconscious. Stachew clung to the boat as the men rowed to the bank. Mrs. Patten was revived and was treated for shock at a hospital. Stachew was winded and extremely tired. 43076-3899
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